N-cyclopropyl-N-piperidinyl-amides, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds of general formula (I), wherein R 1 , L P , L Q , (Het)Ar, m and n are as defined in the application, which have valuable pharmacological properties, and in particular bind to the GPR1 19 receptor and modulate its activity.

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 12 183 652.2, filed Sep. 10, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to new compounds, in particular compounds of formula I

wherein R¹, L^(P), L^(Q), (Het)Ar, m and n are defined as hereinafter, to processes for preparing such compounds, to their use as modulators of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119, to methods for their therapeutic use, in particular to methods of treating diseases and conditions mediated by the modulation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diabetes mellitus is a serious metabolic disease which affects more than 100 million people worldwide. In the USA there are more than 12 million diabetics with 600,000 new cases diagnosed every year. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing, which means in particular a high frequency of complications as well, leading to a substantial impairment of quality of life and life expectancy. Because of diabetes-associated microvascular complications, in the industrialised countries type 2 diabetes is currently the most common cause of adult-onset loss of vision, renal insufficiency and amputations. In addition, type 2 diabetes is associated with a two- to five-fold increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The UKPDS study (United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study) showed that intensive treatment with common therapeutic agents, e.g. metformin, sulphonylureas or insulin, results in only a limited improvement in glycaemic control (difference in the HbA1c value ˜0.9%). Moreover, glycaemic control deteriorated considerably over time even in patients in the intensive treatment group, and this was put down to a deterioration in beta cell function. Diabetes is also a major cause of damage to the retina at the back of the eye and increases the risk of cataract and glaucoma. Finally, diabetes is associated with nerve damage, particularly in the legs and feet, which affects the patient's ability to feel pain and contributes to serious infections. All in all, complications of diabetes are one of the major causes of death worldwide.

Adiposity (obesity) is the result of an imbalance between calorie intake and energy consumption. It correlates to a high degree with insulin resistance and diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms that are involved in obesity/diabetes syndromes are not yet clear. At an early stage of the development of obesity, an increased insulin secretion balances out the insulin resistance and protects the patient from hyperglycaemia. However, after a time, the beta cell function worsens and non-insulin-dependent diabetes develops in about 20% of the obese population. Obesity has thus become a critical risk factor for diabetes, but the factors that predispose one group of patients to a pathological change in insulin secretion as a response to the accumulation of fat are currently unknown. Obesity also significantly increases the risk of the development of cardiovascular disease. Diabetes is also implicated in the formation of kidney complaints, eye complaints and problems of the nervous system. Kidney disease, also known as nephropathy, sets in when the filtering mechanism of the kidneys is disrupted and proteins escape into the urine in excessive amounts and finally the kidney fails. Therefore there is a medical need for medicaments for preventing and/or treating metabolic disorders (particularly diabetes, predominantly type 2 diabetes) and the complications thereof. In particular there is a need for medicaments with good activity in terms of glycaemic control, disease-modifying properties and reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and which also have a better safety profile.

Dyslipidemia is a disorder of lipoprotein metabolism, including lipoprotein overproduction or deficiency. Dyslipidemias may be manifested by elevation of the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations, and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration in the blood. Dyslipidemia occurs often in situations including diabetes, a common cause of lipidemia. For adults with diabetes, it has been recommended that the levels of LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol, and triglyceride be measured every year. Optimal LDL cholesterol levels for adults with diabetes are less than 100 mg/dL (2.60 mmol/L), optimal HDL cholesterol levels are equal to or greater than 40 mg/dL (1.02 mmol/L), and desirable triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L).

GPR119 is a G-protein coupled receptor (also known as GPCR2, RUP3, SNORF25 or GDIR) which is expressed predominantly in the beta cells of the pancreas and in the K- and L-cells of the intestine. The GPR119 receptor and isoforms have been identified in mammalian species including human, rat, mouse, hamster, chimpanzee, rhesus monkey, cattle and dog. The expression of GPR119 in the pancreas and particularly in the pancreatic β-cells led to the hypothesis that the GPR119 receptor could have effects upon insulin secretion. Activation of the receptor stimulates the cAMP signal pathway, increasing the intracellular levels of cAMP in these cells. This will lead to an improved diabetic situation by a dual action of such a compound: stimulation of cAMP in the beta cell occurs directly via activation of GPR119 in these cells and furthermore indirectly via stimulation of the release of neuroendocrine peptides like GIP and GLP-1 and PYY from the gut. The release of these peptides may have also additional beneficial effects, e.g. on food intake, gastric emptying and other yet unknown functions. Also, a GPR119 agonist can be expected to bring about an improvement in the beta cell function and the beta cell mass. In fact, activation of GPR119 stimulates insulin secretion in-vitro and in-vivo (in rodents) in a glucose-dependent manner. The discovery of two endogenous ligands, lysophospha-tidylcholine (LPC) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) as well as more potent GPR119 agonists have led to the characterization of GPR119 as both an insulin and incretin (GLP-1 and GIP) secretagogue receptor capable of lowering plasma glucose and thereby facilitating glycemic control without the risk of hypoglycemia (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 2005, 744-751; Cell Metabolism 2006, 167-175; Endocrinology 2007, 2601-9). It has recently been shown that GPR119 agonists effectively lower the blood glucose levels in diabetic rodents without the risk of hypoglycaemia. GPR119 knockout animals have shown that both insulin and incretin secretion induced by GPR119 agonists are dependent upon GPR119 receptor. In addition, it has been shown that GPR119 agonists decrease food intake resulting in weight loss in Sprague Dawley rats. Therefore the GPR119 agonists may be expected to have a therapeutic benefit in metabolic diseases. Examples of such diseases include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, insufficient glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, dyslipidaemia, syndrome X, metabolic syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure, chronic systemic inflammation, retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and bone-related diseases (such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis). For comparison and additional information also see

-   -   1. Dhayal, S., Morgan, N. G. The significance of GPR119 agonists         as a future treatment for type 2 diabetes. Drug News Perspect.         2010, 23(7), 418-24.     -   2. Yoshida, S., Tanaka, H., Oshima, H., Yamazaki, T., Yonetoku,         Y., Ohishi, T., Matsui, T., Shibasaki, M. AS1907417, a novel         GPR119 agonist, as an insulinotropic and β-cell preservative         agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Biochem Biophys Res         Commun. 2010, 400(4), 745-51.     -   3. Jones, R. M., Leonard, J. N., Buzard, D. J., Lehman, J.         GPR119 agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Expert         Opinion on Therapeutic Patents 2009, Vol. 19, No. 10: 1339-1359.

AIM OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide new compounds, in particular new N-cyclopropyl-N-piperidinyl-amide derivatives, which are active with regard to the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide new compounds, in particular new N-cyclopropyl-N-piperidinyl-amide derivatives, which are agonists of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide new compounds, in particular new N-cyclopropyl-N-piperidinyl-amide derivatives, which have an activating effect on the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 in vitro and/or in vivo and possess suitable pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties to use them as medicaments.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide effective GPR119 agonists, in particular for the treatment of metabolic disorders, for example diabetes, dyslipidemia and/or obesity.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide methods for treating a disease or condition mediated by the activation the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 in a patient.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound according to the invention.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a combination of at least one compound according to the invention with one or more additional therapeutic agents.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide methods for the synthesis of the new compounds, in particular N-cyclopropyl-N-piperidinyl-amide derivatives.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide starting and/or intermediate compounds suitable in methods for the synthesis of the new compounds.

Further aims of the present invention become apparent to the one skilled in the art by the description hereinbefore and in the following and by the examples.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that the compounds according to the invention described in more detail hereinafter have surprising and particularly advantageous properties, in particular as GPR119 agonists.

In a first aspect the invention relates to compounds of formula I

wherein

-   R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G1 consisting of C₁₋₆-alkyl,     C₂₋₆-alkenyl, C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl-CH₂—, phenyl-CH₂—, C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl and     phenyl,     -   wherein each C₁₋₆-alkyl and C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl group is optionally         mono- or polysubstituted with F and optionally substituted with         one or two groups independently selected from H₃C—, FH₂C—,         F₂HC—, F₃C— and HO—; and     -   wherein one CH₂ unit of the C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl groups is optionally         replaced with one O atom; and     -   wherein each phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or         two groups independently selected from F, Cl, H₃C—, F₃C—, NC—,         H₃C—O— and F₃C—O—; and -   (Het)Ar is selected from the group (Het)Ar-G1 consisting of:     -   a) phenyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinonyl and a 5- and 6-membered         heteroaromatic ring which contains 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms         independently of each other selected from N, NR^(N), O and S,         -   wherein each of said phenyl, pyridinonyl and heteroaromatic             ring is optionally substituted with one or more substituents             independently of each other selected from L^(Ar); and         -   wherein said phenyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinonyl and             heteroaromatic rings are optionally substituted with a group             T; and     -   b) 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl, which is substituted at the N         atom with a —S(═O)₂—O₁₋₆-alkyl or —S(═O)₂—O₃₋₆-cycloalkyl group,         -   wherein the alkyl and cycloalkyl groups are optionally             substituted with one or more substituents independently of             each other selected from F, Cl, CN, OH and C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—; -   R^(N) is independently selected from the group R^(N)-G1 consisting     of H, C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(═O)— and C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—; and -   T is selected from the group T-G1 consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, CN,     OH, NO₂, C₁₋₆-alkyl-, C₂₋₆-alkenyl-, C₂₋₆-alkynyl-, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl,     C₁₋₆-alkyl-O—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, C₁₋₆-alkyl-S—, HO—C(═O)—,     C₁₋₆-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(═O)—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-C(═O)—,     C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—,     R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O)—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—S(═O)₂—,     R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—O(═O)—(R^(N))N—, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-O—,     aryl, aryl-O—, heteroaryl and heteroaryl-O—,     -   wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is         optionally substituted with one or more substituents         independently of each other selected from F, Cl, CN, OH,         C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—,         R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O), C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—,         R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—S(═O)₂—, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl, and     -   wherein aryl denotes phenyl or naphthyl; and     -   wherein heteroaryl is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring which         contains 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms independently of each other         selected from N, NR^(N), O and S; and     -   wherein heterocyclyl is a 4- to 7-membered unsaturated or         saturated carbocyclic ring in which 1, 2, or 3 —CH₂— groups         independently of each other are replaced by NR^(N), O, —O,         —C(═O)—, S, —S(═O)— or —S(═O)₂—, and/or in which a —CH— group is         replaced by N; and     -   wherein each aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl group is         optionally substituted with one or more substituents         independently of each other selected from L^(Ar); and -   R^(NT1) is selected from the group R^(NT1)-G1 consisting of H,     C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkyl-C(═O)—,     C₁₋₄-alkyl-NH—C(═O)—, (C₁₋₄-alkyl)₂N—C(═O)—, C₁₋₆-alkyl-S(═O)₂—,     heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl,     -   wherein each alkyl and cycloalkyl group may be optionally         substituted with one or more substituents independently of each         other selected from the group consisting of F, OH, CN,         C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—, (R^(N))₂N, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—,         C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, phenyl and heteroaryl, and     -   wherein heterocyclyl is a C₄₋₇-cycloalkyl ring in which one or         two —CH₂— groups independently of each other are replaced by         NR^(N), O, C(═O), S, S(═O) or S(═O)₂, and     -   wherein heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted with one or         more substituents independently of each other selected from F,         C₁₋₄-alkyl, (R^(N))₂N, OH and C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—, and     -   wherein aryl is phenyl or naphthyl, and     -   wherein heteroaryl is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring which         contains 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms independently of each other         selected from N, NR^(N), O and S, and     -   wherein each aryl, phenyl and heteroaryl is optionally         substituted with one or more substituents L^(Ar); -   R^(NT2) is selected from the group R^(NT2)-G1 consisting of H and     C₁₋₆-alkyl; or -   R^(NT1) and R^(NT2) are linked to form one group selected from the     group R^(NT1)R^(NT2)-G1 consisting of C₃₋₅-alkylene,     -   wherein one or two —CH₂-groups are replaced independently of         each other by NR^(N), O, C(═O), S, S(═O) or S(═O)₂, and     -   wherein the ring formed by R^(NT1) and R^(NT2) together with the         nitrogen atom to which they are attached is optionally         substituted with one or more substituents independently of each         other selected from F, C₁₋₄-alkyl, (R^(N))₂N—, OH and         C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—; -   L^(Ar) is selected from the group L^(Ar)-G1 consisting of F, Cl, Br,     I, CN, OH, NO₂, C₁₋₄-alkyl-, cyclopropyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—,     (R^(N))₂N—C(═O)—, (R^(N))₂N— and C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—,     -   wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with one or         more substituents independently of each other selected from F,         Cl, CN, OH and C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—; and -   L^(P) is selected from the group L^(P)-G1 consisting of F,     C₁₋₃-alkyl, F₃C— and C₁₋₃-alkyl-O; and -   L^(Q) is selected from the group L^(Q)-G1 consisting of F, Cl, CN,     OH, NO₂, C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl-, F₂HC—, F₃C—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—,     F₂HC—O—, F₃C—O—, —NH₂ and C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl-O—; and -   m is an integer selected from 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and -   n is an integer selected from 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;     including any tautomers and stereoisomers thereof,     or a salt thereof     or a solvate or hydrate thereof.

In a further aspect the present invention relates to processes for preparing a compound of general formula I and to new intermediate compounds in these processes.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a salt of the compounds of general formula I according to this invention, in particular to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, comprising one or more compounds of general formula I or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof according to the invention, optionally together with one or more inert carriers and/or diluents.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a method for treating diseases or conditions which are mediated by activating the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 in a patient in need thereof characterized in that a compound of general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered to the patient.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for treating a metabolic disease or disorder in a patient in need thereof characterized in that a compound of general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered to the patient.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a compound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for a therapeutic method as described hereinbefore and hereinafter.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a compound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a therapeutic method as described hereinbefore and hereinafter.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a method for treating a disease or condition mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 in a patient that includes the step of administering to the patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of one or more additional therapeutic agents.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a use of a compound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases or conditions which are mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound according to general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and one or more additional therapeutic agents, optionally together with one or more inert carriers and/or diluents.

Other aspects of the invention become apparent to the one skilled in the art from the specification and the experimental part as described hereinbefore and hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise stated, the groups, residues and substituents, particularly R¹, R^(N), (Het)Ar, T, R^(NT1), R^(NT2), L^(Ar), L^(P), L^(Q), m and n are defined as above and hereinafter. If residues, substituents, or groups occur several times in a compound, as for example R^(N), L^(Ar), L^(P), or L^(Q), they may have the same or different meanings. Some preferred meanings of individual groups and substituents of the compounds according to the invention will be given hereinafter. Any and each of these definitions may be combined with each other.

R¹:

R¹-G1:

According to one embodiment, the group R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

R¹-G2:

According to another embodiment, the group R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G2 consisting of C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃-alkenyl, tetrahydropyran-4-yl-CH₂—, phenyl-CH₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, tetrahydropyran-4-yl and phenyl,

-   -   wherein the C₁₋₆-alkyl and C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl groups are optionally         substituted with one to three F and optionally substituted with         one or two groups independently selected from H₃C—, F₃C— and         HO—; and     -   wherein each phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 or 2         groups independently selected from F, H₃C— and H₃C—O—.         R¹-G2a:

In another embodiment, the group R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G2a consisting of

each of which is optionally substituted with one to three F atoms. R¹-G3:

In another embodiment, the group R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G3 consisting of:

R¹-G3a:

In another embodiment, the group R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G3a consisting of

A preferred example of the group R¹-G3a is

(Het)Ar: (Het)Ar-G1:

In one embodiment, the group (Het)Ar is selected from the group (Het)Ar-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

(Het)Ar-G2:

In another embodiment the group (Het)Ar is selected from the group (Het)Ar-G2 consisting of phenyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinonyl and a 6-membered heteroaromatic ring which contains one or two N atoms, and a 5-membered heteroaromatic ring which contains 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms independently of each other selected from N, NR^(N), O and S;

-   -   wherein said phenyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinonyl and heteroaromatic         rings are optionally substituted with a group T, and     -   wherein said phenyl, pyridinonyl and heteroaromatic rings are         optionally substituted with one to three substituents         independently of each other selected from L^(Ar); and         additionally, the group (Het)Ar-G2 comprises a         1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl group substituted at the N atom         with a —S(═O)₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl group,     -   wherein the alkyl group is optionally substituted with one or         two substituents independently of each other selected from F,         Cl, CN, OH and H₃C—O—.         (Het)Ar-G3:

In another embodiment, the group (Het)Ar is selected from the group (Het)Ar-G3 consisting of phenyl, tetrazolyl and a heteroaromatic ring selected from pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl and thiadiazolyl,

-   -   wherein said phenyl and heteroaromatic rings are optionally         substituted with one or two substituents independently of each         other selected from L^(Ar); and     -   wherein said phenyl, tetrazolyl and heteroaromatic rings are         optionally substituted with one group T and wherein in said         heteroaromatic ring the H-atom in one NH group is optionally         replaced by C₁₋₃-alkyl.         (Het)Ar-G4:

In another embodiment, the group (Het)Ar is selected from the group (Het)Ar-G4 consisting of:

wherein each group is optionally substituted with one group T, and additionally, each group is optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently of each other selected from L^(Ar). (Het)Ar-G4a:

In another embodiment, the group (Het)Ar is selected from the group (Het)Ar-G4a consisting of:

which is optionally substituted with one or two F atoms and optionally substituted with one group selected from NC—CH₂—, (H₃C)₂N—CH₂—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—CH₂—, HO—CH₂—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—CH₂—, NC—, H₂N—C(═O)—, H₃CH₂C—NH—C(═O)—, morpholin-4-yl, H₃C—S(═O)₂—NH—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, H₂N—S(═O)₂—, H₃C—NH—S(═O)₂— and (H₃C)₃C—NH—S(═C)₂—. (Het)Ar-G4b:

In another embodiment, the group (Het)Ar is selected from the group (Het)Ar-G4b consisting of:

wherein each group is optionally substituted with one or two H₃C— groups, and additionally, each group is optionally substituted with one group selected from I, Ph-CH₂—, NC—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—, HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, H₂N—, (H₃C)₂N—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—NH—, (H₃C)₂N—C(═O)—NH—, HO—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, phenyl and pyrimidin-4-yl.

A preferred example for (Het)Ar is

R^(N) R^(N)-G1:

In one embodiment, the group R^(N) is selected from the group R^(N)-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

R^(N)-G2:

In another embodiment the group R^(N) is selected from the group R^(N)-G2 consisting of H, H₃C—, H₃CH₂C—, (H₃C)₂HC—, H₃C—C(═O)— and H₃C—S(═O)₂—.

R^(N)-G3:

In another embodiment the group R^(N) is selected from the group R^(N)-G3 consisting of H, H₃C—, H₃C—C(═O)— and H₃C—S(═O)₂—.

R^(N)-G4:

In another embodiment the group R^(N) is selected from the group R^(N)-G4 consisting of H and H₃C—.

T

T-G1:

According to one embodiment, the group T is selected from the group T-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

T-G2:

According to another embodiment, the group T is selected from the group T-G2 consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, C₁₋₄-alkyl, NC—, HO—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—, HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O)—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—S(═O)₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—, morpholin-4-yl, —NO₂ and pyrimidin-4-yl,

-   -   wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with one or         more substituents independently of each other selected from F,         Cl, CN, OH, phenyl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl,     -   wherein heteroaryl is selected from the group consisting of         pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl,         imidazolyl, [1,2,4]triazolyl and tetrazolyl; and     -   wherein heterocyclyl is selected from the group consisting of         azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl and         morpholinyl, wherein in each of the beforementioned heterocyclyl         groups a —CH₂— group may be replaced by a group selected from         —C(═O)— and —S(═O)₂—, and wherein each of the beforementioned         groups is optionally substituted with one or more substituents         independently of each other selected from C₁₋₃-alkyl; and     -   wherein phenyl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted         independently of each other with one or more substituents         L^(Ar);         and, in addition, the group T-G2 consists of         R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O)—C₁₋₄-alkyl-, (H₃C)₂N—C₁₋₃-alkyl-,         C₁₋₃-alkyl-C(═O)NH—C₁₋₃-alkyl- and         C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—C₁₋₄-alkyl-.         T-G3:

According to another embodiment the group T is selected from the group T-G3 consisting of F, I, C₁₋₃-alkyl, Ph-CH₂—, NC—C₁₋₃-alkyl-, (H₃C)₂N—C₁₋₃-alkyl-, C₁₋₃-alkyl-C(═O)NH—C₁₋₃-alkyl-, HO—C₁₋₃-alkyl-, NC—, H₂N—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-NH—C(═O)—, (H₃C)₂N—C(═O)—, HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, HO—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, —O—CF₃, —NO₂, morpholin-4-yl, C₁₋₃-alkyl-S(═O)—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—S(═O)₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O)—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-S(═O)₂—CH₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O)—CH₂—, phenyl and pyrimidinyl.

T-G4:

According to another embodiment, the group T is selected from the group T-G4 consisting of I, H₃C—, Ph-CH₂—, NC—CH₂—, (H₃C)₂N—CH₂—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—CH₂—, HO—CH₂—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—CH₂—, NC—, H₂N—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-NH—C(═O)—, HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, H₂N—, (H₃C)₂N—, morpholin-4-yl, H₃O—C(═O)—NH—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—NH—, (H₃C)₂N—C(═O)—NH—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—NH—, HO—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, H₂N—S(═O)₂—, H₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—, (H₃O)₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—, phenyl and pyrimidin-4-yl.

T-G4a:

According to another embodiment, the group T is selected from the group T-G4a consisting of NC—CH₂—, (H₃C)₂N—CH₂—, H₃O—C(═O)—NH—CH₂—, HO—CH₂—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—CH₂—, NC—, H₂N—C(═O)—, H₃C—CH₂—NH—C(═O)—, morpholin-4-yl, H₃C—S(═O)₂—NH—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, H₂N—S(═O)₂—, H₃C—NH—S(═O)₂— and (H₃O)₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—.

T-G4b:

According to another embodiment, the group T is selected from the group T-G4b consisting of I, H₃C—, Ph-CH₂—, NC—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—, HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, H₂N—, (H₃C)₂N—, H₃O—C(═O)—NH—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—NH—, (H₃C)₂N—C(═O)—NH—, HO, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, phenyl and pyrimidin-4-yl.

R^(NT1)

R^(NT1)-G1:

In one embodiment, R^(NT1) is selected from the group R^(NT1)-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

R^(NT1)-G2:

In another embodiment R^(NT1) is selected from the group R^(NT1)-G2 consisting of H, C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(═O)—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-NH—C(═O)—, (C₁₋₃-alkyl)₂N—C(═O)— and C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—,

-   -   wherein each alkyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally         substituted with one or more substituents independently of each         other selected from the group consisting of F, OH, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—         and (RN)₂N—.         R^(NT1)-G3:

In another embodiment R^(NT1) is selected from the group R^(NT1)-G3 consisting of H, C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₁₋₃-alkyl-C(═O)— and C₁₋₃-alkyl-S(═O)₂—.

R^(NT2)

R^(NT2)-G1:

In one embodiment, R^(NT2) is selected from the group R^(NT2)-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

R^(NT2)-G2:

In another embodiment R^(NT2) is selected from the group R^(NT2)-G2 consisting of H and C₁₋₃-alkyl.

R^(NT2)-G3:

In another embodiment R^(NT2) is selected from the group R^(NT2)-G3 consisting of H and CH₃.

R^(NT2)-G4:

In another embodiment R^(NT2) is selected from the group R^(NT2)-G4 consisting of H.

R^(NT1)R^(NT2)

R^(NT1)R^(NT2)-G1:

According to another embodiment the groups R^(NT1) and R^(NT2) are linked and form a group which is selected from the group R^(NT1)R^(NT2)-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

R^(NT1)R^(NT2)-G2:

According to another embodiment the groups R^(NT1) and R^(NT2) are linked and together with the N-atom to which they are attached form a group which is selected from the group R^(NT1)R^(NT2)-G2 consisting of azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, piperazin-2-onyl, N—(C₁₋₃-alkyl)-piperazinyl, N—(C₁₋₃-alkyl)piperazin-2-onyl and N—(C₁₋₃-alkyl-C(═O))-piperazinyl,

-   -   which are optionally substituted with one or more substituents         independently of each other selected from the group consisting         of F, OH, C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O— and (R^(N))₂N—.         L^(Ar):         L^(Ar)-G1:

In one embodiment, the group L^(Ar) is selected from the group L^(Ar)-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

L^(Ar)-G2:

In another embodiment, the group L^(Ar) is selected from the group L^(Ar)-G2 consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, C₁₋₃-alkyl-, CN, HO—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, H₂N—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-NH— and (C₁₋₃-alkyl)₂N—, wherein the C₁₋₃-alkyl- and C₁₋₃-alkyl-O— group may be optionally substituted with one or more F atoms.

L^(Ar)-G3:

In another embodiment, the group L^(Ar) is selected from the group L^(Ar)-G3 consisting of F, H₃C—, F₃C—, HF₂C—, CN, OH, H₃C—O—, HF₂C—O— and F₃C—O—.

L^(Ar)-G4:

In another embodiment, the group L^(Ar) is selected from the group L^(Ar)-G4 consisting of F and H₃C—.

L^(P):

L^(P)-G1:

In one embodiment, the group L^(P) is selected from the group L^(P)-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

L^(P)-G2:

In another embodiment, the group L^(P) is selected from the group L^(P)-G2 consisting of F, H₃C— and H₃C—O—.

L^(P)-G3:

According to the embodiment L^(P)-G3, the group L^(P) is F and H₃C—.

L^(Q):

L^(Q)-G1:

In one embodiment, the group L^(Q) is selected from the group L^(Q)-G1 as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

L^(Q)-G2:

In another embodiment the group L^(Q) is selected from the group L^(Q)-G2 consisting of F, Cl, H₃C—, F₃C—, NC—, H₂N—, C₂N—, H₃C—O— and F₃C—O—.

L^(Q)-G3:

In another embodiment, the group L^(Q) is selected from the group L^(Q)-G3 consisting of F and H₃C—.

L^(Q)-G4:

According to the embodiment L^(Q)-G4, the group L^(Q) is F.

m:

The index m is an integer selected from 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.

According to another embodiment, the index m is 0, 1, or 2.

According to another embodiment, the index m is 0 or 1.

According to another embodiment, the index m is 2.

According to another embodiment, the index m is 1.

According to another embodiment, the index m is 0.

n:

The index n is an integer selected from 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.

According to another embodiment, the index n is 0, 1, or 2.

According to one embodiment, the index n is 1 or 2, in particular 1.

According to another embodiment, the index n is 0 or 1.

According to another embodiment, the index n is 1.

According to another embodiment, the index n is 0.

The following preferred embodiments of compounds of the formula I are described using generic formulae I.1 to I.5, wherein any tautomers and stereoisomers, solvates, hydrates and salts thereof, in particular the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are encompassed.

wherein the variables R¹, L^(P), L^(Q), (Het)Ar and m are defined as hereinbefore and hereinafter.

Examples of preferred subgeneric embodiments according to the present invention are set forth in the following table, wherein each substituent group of each embodiment is defined according to the definitions set forth hereinbefore and wherein all other substituents of the formula I are defined according to the definitions set forth hereinbefore:

Em- bodi- ment R¹ (Het)Ar L^(P) L^(Q) m n E-1 R¹-G1 (Het)Ar²-G1 L^(P)-G1 L^(Q)-G1 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-2 R¹-G2 (Het)Ar²-G2 L^(P)-G2 L^(Q)-G2 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-3 R¹-G2 (Het)Ar²-G3 L^(P)-G2 L^(Q)-G2 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-4 R¹-G2 (Het)Ar²-G2 L^(P)-G2 L^(Q)-G3 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-5 R¹-G2 (Het)Ar²-G2 L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G3 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-6 R¹-G3 (Het)Ar²-G2 L^(P)-G2 L^(Q)-G2 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-7 R¹-G3a (Het)Ar²-G2 L^(P)-G2 L^(Q)-G2 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-8 R¹-G2a (Het)Ar²-G2 L^(P)-G2 L^(Q)-G2 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-9 R¹-G2a (Het)Ar²-G3 L^(P)-G2 L^(Q)-G2 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-10 R¹-G2a (Het)Ar²-G3 L^(P)-G2 L^(Q)-G3 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-11 R¹-G2a (Het)Ar²-G2 L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G3 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-12 R¹-G3 (Het)Ar²-G3 L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G3 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-13 R¹-G3a (Het)Ar²-G3 L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G3 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-14 R¹-G2a (Het)Ar²-G3 L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G3 2, 1, or 0 1 or 0 E-15 R¹-G2a (Het)Ar²-G4 L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G3     1 or 0 1 or 0 E-16 R¹-G2a (Het)Ar²-G4 L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G3     1 or 0 1 or 0 E-17 R¹-G3 (Het)Ar²-G4 L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G3     1 or 0 1 or 0 E-18 R¹-G2a (Het)Ar²-G4b L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G4     1 or 0 1 or 0 E-19 R¹-G3 (Het)Ar²-G4b L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G4     1 or 0 1 or 0 E-20 R¹-G3a (Het)Ar²-G4b L^(P)-G3 L^(Q)-G4     1 or 0 1 or 0

Another embodiment concerns those compounds of formula I, wherein

R¹ is selected from a group consisting of:

-   -   each of which is optionally substituted with one to three F         atoms;

HetAr is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   phenyl, tetrazolyl, and a heteroaromatic ring selected from         pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl,         furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl,         thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl and thiadiazolyl,         -   wherein said phenyl and heteroaromatic rings are optionally             substituted with one or two substituents independently of             each other selected from L^(Ar); and         -   wherein said phenyl, tetrazolyl and heteroaromatic rings are             optionally substituted with one group T and wherein in said             heteroaromatic ring the H-atom in one NH group is optionally             replaced by C₁₋₃-alkyl;

T is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   I, H₃C—, Ph-CH₂—, NC—CH₂—, (H₃C)₂N—CH₂—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—CH₂—,         HO—CH₂—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—CH₂—, NC—, H₂N—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-NH—C(═O)—,         HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, H₂N—, (H₃C)₂N—, morpholin-4-yl,         H₃C—C(═O)—NH—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—NH—, (H₃C)₂N—C(═O)—NH—,         H₃C—S(═O)₂—NH—, HO—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—,         H₂N—S(═O)₂—, H₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—, (H₃C)₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—, phenyl and         pyrimidin-4-yl;

L^(Ar) is selected from the group consisting of F and H₃C—;

L^(Q) is F;

L^(P) is H₃C— or F;

m is 0, 1, or 2; and

n is 0 or 1;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another embodiment concerns those compounds of formula I, wherein

R¹ is selected from a group consisting of:

(Het)Ar is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a)

-   -    which is optionally substituted with one or two F atoms and         optionally substituted with one group selected from NC—CH₂—,         (H₃C)₂N—CH₂—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—CH₂—, HO—CH₂—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—CH₂—, NC—,         H₂N—C(═O)—, H₃CH₂C—NH—C(═O)—, morpholin-4-yl, H₃C—S(═O)₂—NH—,         C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, H₂N—S(═O)₂—, H₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—         and (H₃C)₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—; and     -   b) a group selected from among:

-   -    wherein each group is optionally substituted with one or two         H₃C— groups, and optionally substituted with one group selected         from I, Ph-CH₂—, NC—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—, HO—C(═O)—,         C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, H₂N—, (H₃C)₂N—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—,         H₃C—NH—C(═O)—NH—, (H₃C)₂N—C(═O)—NH—, HO—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—,         H₃C—S(═O)₂—, phenyl and pyrimidin-4-yl;

L^(Q) is F;

L^(P) is H₃C— or F;

m is 0 or 1;

and n is 0 or 1;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Particularly preferred compounds, including their tautomers and stereoisomers, the salts thereof, or any solvates or hydrates thereof, are described in the experimental section hereinafter.

The compounds according to the invention and their intermediates may be obtained using methods of synthesis which are known to the one skilled in the art and described in the literature of organic synthesis. Preferably the compounds are obtained analogously to the methods of preparation explained more fully hereinafter, in particular as described in the experimental section. In some cases the sequence adopted in carrying out the reaction schemes may be varied. Variants of these reactions that are known to one skilled in the art but are not described in detail here may also be used. The general processes for preparing the compounds according to the invention will become apparent to a person skilled in the art on studying the schemes that follow. Starting compounds are commercially available or may be prepared by methods that are described in the literature or herein, or may be prepared in an analogous or similar manner. Before the reaction is carried out any corresponding functional groups in the compounds may be protected using conventional protecting groups. These protecting groups may be cleaved again at a suitable stage within the reaction sequence using methods familiar to a person skilled in the art.

The compounds of the invention I can principally be assembled from the building blocks 1 to 5 as sketched in Scheme 1; R¹, L^(P), L^(Q), (Het)Ar, m and n have the meanings as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. Building blocks 1 to 5 are either known compounds that are commercially available, of which a synthesis is reported, or can be synthesized in analogy to proceedings described herein or in the literature for related compounds. The order of linking the building blocks is variable and the most effective way depends on the precise decoration of the building blocks and the reactivity of the groups to be linked and may vary for each of them. In principle, almost any order of linking is conceivable, however, combining building block 1 with building block 2 followed by attachment of building block 3 and finally compound 4, optionally already bearing building block 5, may be preferred in most of the cases. For varying one individual residue or for the synthesis of particular target compounds a deviating proceeding may be more appropriate.

A general way of attaching residue R¹OC(═O) to the N atom of the piperidine of the compounds of the invention (I) or an intermediate towards them is depicted in Scheme 2; R¹, L^(P) and n have the meanings as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. R¹OC(═O) is preferably introduced from an electrophilic precursor 1′, e.g., as chloride (X═Cl) or anhydride (X═O—C(═O)—OR¹), that is reacted with the piperidine derivative 2′, optionally in the presence of a base, e.g. K₂CO₃, pyridine, 4-dimethylamino-pyridine, triethylamine, or ethyldiisopropylamine, in a solvent such as toluene, dichloromethane, ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, acetonitrile, or mixtures thereof, at −10 to 120° C.

The linkage between the piperidine and the cyclopropylamine fragment is preferably established via reductive amination from a piperidinone, such as 6′, and cyclopropylamine (3) (Scheme 3); R¹, L^(P) and n have the meanings as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. Suitable reducing agents may be complex metal hydrides, such as sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, or sodium cyano-borohydride, which are optionally used in combination with an acid, e.g. acetic acid, or hydrogen that is employed in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, e.g. palladium on charcoal or Raney-Ni.

The amide linkage in compounds I or any intermediate towards I of the carboxylic carbon atom and the N bearing the cyclopropyl group is a routine transformation in organic synthesis with a plethora of methods and strategies known (Scheme 4); R¹, L^(P), L^(Q), m, n and (Het)Ar have the meanings as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. The carboxylic acid may be transformed into a sufficiently reactive derivative to be coupled with the amine in a separate reaction step or in situ. Suited derivatives of the carboxylic acid for the former proceeding may be, for example, carboxylic chlorides, fluorides, cyanides, anhydrides, mixed anhydrides, imidazolides, oxybenzotriazolides, pentafluorophenyl esters, or 4-nitrophenyl esters. In situ activation of the carboxylic acid may be achieved with, e.g., 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate or 2-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate. The couplings are preferably conducted in the presence of a base, e.g. ethyl-diisopropyl-amine, triethylamine, imidazole, pyridine, potassium carbonate or calcium oxide, and/or another additive, such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine or 1-hydroxybenzotriazol, in solvents, preferably selected from tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, ether, 1,4-dioxane, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, toluene, benzene, hexanes, and mixtures thereof, preferably at −10 to 140° C.

Attaching (Het)Ar to the phenyl ring in I or an intermediate towards I, e.g. compound 9, may be accomplished as depicted in Scheme 5; (Het)Ar, L^(Q) and m have the meanings as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. Compound 9 is preferably employed as the electrophilic component bearing a leaving group, such as CI, Br, I, F₃CSO₃, H₃CSO₃ and PhSO₃, and (Het)Ar as the nucleophilic partner bearing an acidic H or a metal or pseudo metal group, e.g. B(OH)₂, BF₃K, B(OCMe₂CMe₂O), ZnCl₂, ZnBr₂ and ZnI₂. Coupling of the two components is preferably mediated by a transition metal species derived from Fe, Cu, Ni or Pd. The active catalyst may be a complex of the transition metal with ligands, such as phosphines, e.g. tri-tert-butylphosphine, tricyclohexyl-phosphine, optionally substituted biphenyl-dicyclohexylphosphines or biphenyl-di-tert-butylphosphines, 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene, triphenylphosphine, tritolylphosphine, or trifurylphosphine, pyridines, such as 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline, ethylenediamines, phosphites, 1,3-disubstituted imidazole or imidazolidine carbenes, dibenzylideneacetone, allyl, or nitriles, an elemental form of the transition metal, such as Pd on carbon or nanoparticles of Fe or Pd, a salt, such as fluoride, chloride, bromide, acetate, triflate, or trifluoroacetate, or a combination of the different species mentioned. Depending on the nature of the electrophile and nucleophile, additives, such as halide salts, e.g. LiCl, KF and nBu₄NF, hydroxide sources, e.g. KOH, K₂CO₃, silver salts, such as Ag₂O and Ag(O₃SCF₃)₂, and/or Cu salts, such as CuI and copper thiophene-2-carboxylate, may be advantageous or even essential for the coupling to proceed. The coupling is preferably conducted in benzene, toluene, ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,4-dioxane, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone, alcohol, water, or mixtures thereof, at −10 to 180° C. The reactivity of the two building blocks may be reversed, i.e. compound 9 is the nucleophile bearing the metal or pseudo metal residue M and (Het)Ar is the electrophile bearing the leaving group X, to access the same products under analogous reaction conditions. Depending on the nature of the coupling partners either way may be employable or one of them only.

The synthetic routes presented may rely on the use of protecting groups. For example, reactive groups present, such as hydroxy, carbonyl, carboxy, amino, alkylamino or imino, may be protected during the reaction by conventional protecting groups which are cleaved again after the reaction. Suitable protecting groups for the respective functionalities and their removal are well known to the one skilled in the art and are described in the literature of organic synthesis.

The compounds of general formula I may be resolved into their enantiomers and/or diastereomers as mentioned before. Thus, for example, cis/trans mixtures may be resolved into their cis and trans isomers and racemic compounds may be separated into their enantiomers.

The cis/trans mixtures may be resolved, for example, by chromatography into the cis and trans isomers thereof. The compounds of general formula I which occur as racemates may be separated by methods known per se into their optical antipodes and diastereomeric mixtures of compounds of general formula I may be resolved into their diastereomers by taking advantage of their different physico-chemical properties using methods known per se, e.g. chromatography and/or fractional crystallization; if the compounds obtained thereafter are racemates, they may be resolved into the enantiomers as mentioned above.

The racemates are preferably resolved by column chromatography on chiral phases or by crystallization from an optically active solvent or by reacting with an optically active substance which forms salts or derivatives such as esters or amides with the racemic compound. Salts may be formed with enantiomerically pure acids for basic compounds and with enantiomerically pure bases for acidic compounds. Diastereomeric derivatives are formed with enantiomerically pure auxiliary compounds, e.g. acids, their activated derivatives, or alcohols. Separation of the diastereomeric mixture of salts or derivatives thus obtained may be achieved by taking advantage of their different physico-chemical properties, e.g. differences in solubility; the free antipodes may be released from the pure diastereomeric salts or derivatives by the action of suitable agents. Optically active acids commonly used for such a purpose as well as optically active alcohols applicable as auxiliary residues are known to those skilled in the art.

As mentioned above, the compounds of formula I may be converted into salts, particularly for pharmaceutical use into the pharmaceutically acceptable salts. As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refer to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified by making pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base salts thereof.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Terms not specifically defined herein should be given the meanings that would be given to them by one skilled in the art in light of the disclosure and the context. As used in the specification, however, unless specified to the contrary, the following terms have the meaning indicated and the following conventions are adhered to.

The terms “compound(s) according to this invention”, “compound(s) of formula I”, “compound(s) of the invention” and the like denote the compounds of the formula I according to the present invention including their tautomers, stereoisomers and mixtures thereof and the salts thereof, in particular the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and the solvates and hydrates of such compounds, including the solvates and hydrates of such tautomers, stereoisomers and salts thereof.

The terms “treatment” and “treating” embraces both preventative, i.e. prophylactic, or therapeutic, i.e. curative and/or palliative, treatment. Thus the terms “treatment” and “treating” comprise therapeutic treatment of patients having already developed said condition, in particular in manifest form. Therapeutic treatment may be symptomatic treatment in order to relieve the symptoms of the specific indication or causal treatment in order to reverse or partially reverse the conditions of the indication or to stop or slow down progression of the disease. Thus the compositions and methods of the present invention may be used for instance as therapeutic treatment over a period of time as well as for chronic therapy. In addition the terms “treatment” and “treating” comprise prophylactic treatment, i.e. a treatment of patients at risk to develop a condition mentioned hereinbefore, thus reducing said risk.

When this invention refers to patients requiring treatment, it relates primarily to treatment in mammals, in particular humans.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” means an amount of a compound of the present invention that (i) treats or prevents the particular disease or condition, (ii) attenuates, ameliorates, or eliminates one or more symptoms of the particular disease or condition, or (iii) prevents or delays the onset of one or more symptoms of the particular disease or condition described herein.

The terms “modulated” or “modulating”, or “modulate(s)”, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, refers to the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 with one or more compounds of the present invention.

The terms “mediated” or “mediating” or “mediate”, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, refers to the (i) treatment, including prevention of the particular disease or condition, (ii) attenuation, amelioration, or elimination of one or more symptoms of the particular disease or condition, or (iii) prevention or delay of the onset of one or more symptoms of the particular disease or condition described herein.

The term “substituted” as used herein, means that any one or more hydrogens on the designated atom, radical or moiety is replaced with a selection from the indicated group, provided that the atom's normal valence is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in an acceptably stable compound.

In the groups, radicals, or moieties defined below, the number of carbon atoms is often specified preceding the group, for example, C₁₋₆-alkyl means an alkyl group or radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In general, for groups comprising two or more subgroups, the last named subgroup is the radical attachment point, for example, the substituent “aryl-C₁₋₃-alkyl-” means an aryl group which is bound to a C₁₋₃-alkyl-group, the latter of which is bound to the core or to the group to which the substituent is attached.

In case a compound of the present invention is depicted in form of a chemical name and as a formula in case of any discrepancy the formula shall prevail.

An asterisk may be used in sub-formulas to indicate the bond which is connected to the core molecule as defined.

The numeration of the atoms of a substituent starts with the atom which is closest to the core or the group to which the substituent is attached.

For example, the term “3-carboxypropyl-group” represents the following substituent:

wherein the carboxy group is attached to the third carbon atom of the propyl group. The terms “1-methylpropyl-”, “2,2-dimethylpropyl-” or “cyclopropylmethyl-” group represent the following groups:

The asterisk may be used in sub-formulas to indicate the bond which is connected to the core molecule as defined.

In a definition of a group the term “wherein each X, Y and Z group is optionally substituted with” and the like denotes that each group X, each group Y and each group Z either each as a separate group or each as part of a composed group may be substituted as defined. For example a definition “R^(ex) denotes H, C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₃-alkyl or C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more L^(ex)” or the like means that in each of the beforementioned groups which comprise the term alkyl, i.e. in each of the groups C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₃-alkyl and C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, the alkyl moiety may be substituted with L^(ex) as defined.

Unless specifically indicated, throughout the specification and the appended claims, a given chemical formula or name shall encompass tautomers and all stereo-, optical and geometrical isomers (e.g. enantiomers, diastereomers, E/Z isomers etc. . . . ) and racemates thereof as well as mixtures in different proportions of the separate enantiomers, mixtures of diastereomers, or mixtures of any of the foregoing forms where such isomers and enantiomers exist, as well as salts, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and solvates thereof such as for instance hydrates including solvates of the free compounds or solvates of a salt of the compound.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” is employed herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, and commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refer to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified by making pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base salts thereof.

Salts of acids which are useful, for example, for purifying or isolating the compounds of the present invention are also part of the invention.

The term halogen generally denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

The term “C_(1-n)-alkyl”, wherein n is an integer from 2 to n, either alone or in combination with another radical denotes an acyclic, saturated, branched or linear hydrocarbon radical with 1 to n C atoms. For example, the term C₁₋₅-alkyl embraces the radicals H₃C—, H₃C—CH₂—, H₃C—CH₂—CH₂—, H₃C—CH(CH₃)—, H₃C—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, H₃C—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—, H₃C—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—, H₃C—C(CH₃)₂—, H₃C—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, H₃C—CH₂—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—, H₃C—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—, H₃C—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂—, H₃C—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—, H₃C—C(CH₃)₂—CH₂—, H₃C—CH(CH₃)—CH(CH₃)— and H₃C—CH₂—CH(CH₂CH₃)—.

The term “C_(1-n)-alkylene” wherein n is an integer from 2 to n, either alone or in combination with another radical, denotes an acyclic, straight-chain or branched divalent alkyl radical containing from 1 to n carbon atoms. For example, the term C₁₋₄-alkylene includes —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂—CH₂)—, —(CH(CH₃))—, —(CH₂—CH₂—CH₂)—, —(C(CH₃)₂)—, —(CH(CH₂CH₃))—, —(CH(CH₃)—CH₂)—, —(CH₂—CH(CH₃))—, —(CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—CH(CH₃))—, —(CH(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂)—, —(CH₂—CH(CH₃)—CH₂)—, —(CH₂—C(CH₃)₂)—, —(C(CH₃)₂—CH₂)—, —(CH(CH₃)—CH(CH₃))—, —(CH₂—CH(CH₂CH₃))—, —(CH(CH₂CH₃)—CH₂)—, —(CH(CH₂CH₂CH₃))—, —(CHCH(CH₃)₂)— and —C(CH₃)(CH₂CH₃)—.

The term “C_(2-n)-alkenyl”, is used for a group as defined in the definition for “C_(1-n)-alkyl” with at least two carbon atoms, if at least two of those carbon atoms of said group are bonded to each other by a double bond. For example the term C₂₋₃-alkenyl includes —CH═CH₂, —CH═CH—CH₃, —CH₂—CH═CH₂.

The term “C_(2-n)-alkenylene” is used for a group as defined in the definition for “C_(1-n)-alkylene” with at least two carbon atoms, if at least two of those carbon atoms of said group are bonded to each other by a double bond. For example the term C₂₋₃-alkenylene includes —CH═CH—, —CH═CH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH═CH—.

The term “C_(2-n)-alkynyl”, is used for a group as defined in the definition for “C_(1-n)-alkyl” with at least two carbon atoms, if at least two of those carbon atoms of said group are bonded to each other by a triple bond. For example the term C₂₋₃-alkynyl includes —C≡CH, —C≡C—CH₃, —CH₂—C≡CH.

The term “C_(2-n)-alkynylene” is used for a group as defined in the definition for “C_(1-n)-alkylene” with at least two carbon atoms, if at least two of those carbon atoms of said group are bonded to each other by a triple bond. For example the term C₂₋₃-alkynylene includes —C≡C—, —C≡C—CH₂—, —CH₂—C≡C—.

The term “C_(3-n)-carbocyclyl” as used either alone or in combination with another radical, denotes a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical with 3 to n C atoms. The hydrocarbon radical is preferably nonaromatic. Preferably the 3 to n C atoms form one or two rings. In case of a bicyclic or tricyclic ring system the rings may be attached to each other via a single bond or may be fused or may form a spirocyclic or bridged ring system. For example the term C₃₋₁₀-carbocyclyl includes C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkenyl, octahydropentalenyl, octahydroindenyl, decahydronaphthyl, indanyl, tetrahydronaphthyl. Most preferably the term C_(3-n)-carbocyclyl denotes C_(3-n)-cycloalkyl, in particular C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl.

The term “C_(3-n)-cycloalkyl”, wherein n is an integer 4 to n, either alone or in combination with another radical denotes a cyclic, saturated, unbranched hydrocarbon radical with 3 to n C atoms. The cyclic group may be mono-, bi-, tri- or spirocyclic, most preferably monocyclic. Examples of such cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl, cyclododecyl, bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, spiro[4.5]decyl, norpinyl, norbonyl, norcaryl, adamantyl, etc.

The term bicyclic includes spirocyclic.

The term “C_(3-n)-cycloalkenyl”, wherein n is an integer 3 to n, either alone or in combination with another radical, denotes a cyclic, unsaturated but nonaromatic, unbranched hydrocarbon radical with 3 to n C atoms, at least two of which are bonded to each other by a double bond. For example the term C₃₋₇-cycloalkenyl includes cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl, cycloheptenyl, cycloheptadienyl and cycloheptatrienyl.

The term “aryl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, denotes a carbocyclic aromatic monocyclic group containing 6 carbon atoms which may be further fused to a second 5- or 6-membered carbocyclic group which may be aromatic, saturated or unsaturated. Aryl includes, but is not limited to, phenyl, indanyl, indenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl and dihydronaphthyl. More preferably the term “aryl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, denotes phenyl or naphthyl, most preferably phenyl.

The term “heterocyclyl” means a saturated or unsaturated mono-, bi-, tri- or spirocarbocyclic, preferably mono-, bi- or spirocyclic-ring system containing one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O or S(O)_(r) with r=0, 1 or 2, which in addition may have a carbonyl group. More preferably the term “heterocyclyl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, means a saturated or unsaturated, even more preferably a saturated mono-, bi- or spirocyclic-ring system containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O or S(O)_(r) with r=0, 1 or 2 which in addition may have a carbonyl group. The term “heterocyclyl” is intended to include all the possible isomeric forms. Examples of such groups include aziridinyl, oxiranyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, piperidinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, azepanyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranonyl, tetrahydropyranonyl, pyrrolidinonyl, piperidinonyl, piperazinonyl and morpholinonyl.

Thus, the term “heterocyclyl” includes the following exemplary structures which are not depicted as radicals as each form may be attached through a covalent bond to any atom so long as appropriate valences are maintained:

The term “heteroaryl” means a mono- or polycyclic, preferably mono- or bicyclic ring system containing one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O or S(O)_(r) with r=0, 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the heteroatoms is part of an aromatic ring, and wherein said ring system may have a carbonyl group. More preferably the term “heteroaryl” as used herein, either alone or in combination with another radical, means a mono- or bicyclic ring system containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O or S(O)_(r) with r=0, 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the heteroatoms is part of an aromatic ring, and wherein said ring system may have a carbonyl group. The term “heteroaryl” is intended to include all the possible isomeric forms.

Thus, the term “heteroaryl” includes the following exemplary structures which are not depicted as radicals as each form may be attached through a covalent bond to any atom so long as appropriate valences are maintained:

-   -   R^(N)═H or residue attached via a C atom

Many of the terms given above may be used repeatedly in the definition of a formula or group and in each case have one of the meanings given above, independently of one another.

Pharmacological Activity

The activity of the compounds of the invention may be demonstrated using the following assay:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention modulate the activity of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119. The effect of the compounds on the activation of GPR119 and on the stimulation of intracellular cAMP concentration is determined using the AlphaScreen cAMP Assay Kit (Cat. No. #6760625R) made by PerkinElmer.

MIN6 cells [Miyazaki J et al. Endocrinology. 1990 July; 127(1):126-32] are stably transfected with an expression vector for human GPR119 cDNA (Acc. No. NP_848566). Min-6/hGPR119 cells are cultured in DMEM, 10% FBS, 50 μM β-mercaptoethanol, 0.3 mg/mL Geniticin, 2 mM GlutaMAX at 37° C. 5% CO2. For the assay, the cells are seeded in Optiplates (white, 384-well, 160W-barcoded, TC, sterile with lid, Cat. No. #6007688 (Perkin Elmer); 10000 cells/well; 50 μl). The plates covered with lids are then incubated for 24 hours at 37° C./5% CO₂. After the medium is aspirated from the wells completely, 10 μl of the test compound are added, the compounds are diluted using stimulating buffer (140 mM NaCl, 3.6 mM KCl, 0.5 mM NaH₂PO₄, 0.5 mM MgSO₄, 1.5 mM CaCl₂, 10 mM Hepes, 5 mM NaHCO₃; pH 7.4. 0.5 mM IBMX and 0.1% BSA, the final DMSO concentration is 1%). After 45 minutes incubation at room temperature (approx. 20° C.), the cAMP concentrations are determined using the AlphaScreen cAMP Assay Kit (Cat. No. #6760625R from PerkinElmer). 10 μl of Biotin-cAMP (final concentration 1 U/well in lysing buffer (5 mM Hepes (pH 7.4), 0.1% BSA, 0.5% Tween) and 10 μL Bead solution (final concentration 1 U/well in lysing buffer) are added. The plates are incubated for another 2 hours at room temperature. The cAMP concentrations are calculated using a cAMP standard curve from the Alpha Screen Counts. The data analysis is carried out by calculating the EC₅₀ value and the maximum value based on a positive control, using suitable software (Graphpad Prism). The compounds according to the invention increase the intracellular cAMP level in the range of 3-5.

The compounds according to the invention typically have EC₅₀ values in the range from about 1 nM to about 10 μM, preferably from 1 nM to 1 μM, preferably less than 1 μM, particularly preferably less than 500 nM, most particularly preferably less than 100 nM.

EC₅₀ values (cAMP assay) for compounds according to the invention are shown in the following table. The number of the compound corresponds to the number of the Example in the experimental section.

Exam- ple EC₅₀ Example EC₅₀ Example EC₅₀ Example EC₅₀ No. [nM] No. [nM] No. [nM] No. [nM] 1 157 2 15 3 124 4 816 5 884 6 32 7 78 8 169 9 650 10 75 11 516 12 240 13 423 14 1081 15 4463 16 76 17 2222 18 1002 19 1768 20 52 21 74 22 137 23 236 24 81 25 238 26 224 27 469 28 8 29 27 30 171 31 49 32 19 33 9 34 21 35 45 36 219 37 57 38 174 39 634 40 2 41 30 42 152 43 149 44 298 45 15 46 7 47 855 52 832 53 33 54 84 55 927 56 104 57 99 58 214 59 332 60 347 61 513 62 650 63 127 64 278 65 659 66 875 67 316 68 192 69 158 70 41 71 637 72 1172 73 500 74 886 75 651 76 233 77 394 78 75 79 1014 80 345 81 148 82 402 83 291 84 96 85 139 86 401 87 256 88 203 89 24 90 228 91 86 92 79 93 177 94 317 95 85 96 131 97 161 98 68 99 55 100 34 101 127 102 39 103 51 104 333 105 115 106 78 107 66 108 461 109 316 110 44 111 111 112 1742 113 48 114 229 115 1088 116 1571 117 222 118 62 119 89 120 71 121 45 122 59 123 80 124 88 125 45 126 128 127 102 128 34 129 113 130 10

Alternatively, the effect of the compounds on the activation of GPR119 are determined as follows:

Quantitative detection of cAMP accumulation from cells expressing human GPR119 receptor is achieved using Perkin Elmer's LANCE cAMP-384 Kit (Cat#AD0264) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Briefly, HEK293 cells stably expressing a mutant form of the human GPR119 receptor as assay tool (Methionine 1 replaced with the amino acid sequence MKTIIALSYIFCLVFADYKDDDDA, and T327 & S329 changed to alanines; SEQ ID No. 1) are grown to 50-70% confluency in cell culture media (DMEM, 10% heat inactivated Fetal Bovine Serum, 50 I.U./mL penicillin, 50 μg/mL streptomycin, 10 mM HEPES, 20 μg/mL G418 Sulfate). On the day of the assay, GPR119 stable HEK293 cells are lifted from the tissue culture plate and 1000 cells/well are incubated along with various concentrations of test compounds for 20 min at 37° C. Detection Buffer (50 mM HEPES, 10 mM calcium chloride, 0.35% Triton X-100, 1 mg/mL BSA) containing cAMP-specific antibody is then added to all wells and allowed to equilibrate in the dark for 10 minutes at room temperature. Upon equilibration, Detection Buffer containing europium-labeled cAMP tracer complex is added to all wells and allowed to react for 1 hour at room temperature. After 1 hour, bound europium-labeled cAMP tracer is measured using a Perkin Elmer Envision plate reader. The quantity of cAMP generated in each well is derived from a standard curve. EC₅₀ is determined using nonlinear regression analysis of the cAMP values over a range of agonist concentration (12 points spanning the range from 30 μM to 100 pM).

EC₅₀ values (determined as described immediately above) for compounds according to the invention are shown in the following table. The number of the compound corresponds to the number of the Example in the experimental section.

Example EC₅₀ No. [nM] 48 42 49 338 50 1023 51 1580

In view of their ability to modulate the activity of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119, in particular an agonistic activity, the compounds of general formula I according to the invention, including the corresponding salts thereof, are theoretically suitable for the treatment of all those diseases or conditions which may be affected or which are mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a compound of general formula I as a medicament.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a compound of general formula I or a pharmaceutical composition according to this invention for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or conditions which are mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 in a patient, preferably in a human.

In yet another aspect the present invention relates to a method for treating a disease or condition mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 in a mammal that includes the step of administering to a patient, preferably a human, in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.

Diseases and conditions mediated by agonists of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 embrace metabolic diseases or conditions.

According to one aspect the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for treating diabetes mellitus, in particular Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, complications of diabetes (such as e.g. retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathies, diabetic foot, ulcers or macroangiopathies), metabolic acidosis or ketosis, reactive hypoglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, glucose metabolic disorder, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemias of different origins, atherosclerosis and related diseases, obesity, high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, oedema and hyperuricaemia.

The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are also suitable for preventing beta-cell degeneration such as e.g. apoptosis or necrosis of pancreatic beta cells. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are also suitable for improving or restoring the functionality of pancreatic cells, and also for increasing the number and size of pancreatic beta cells.

Therefore according to another aspect the invention relates to compounds of formula I and pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention for use in preventing, delaying, slowing the progression of and/or treating metabolic diseases, particularly in improving the glycaemic control and/or beta cell function in the patient.

In another aspect the invention relates to compounds of formula I and pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention for use in preventing, delaying, slowing the progression of and/or treating type 2 diabetes, overweight, obesity, complications of diabetes and associated pathological conditions.

In addition the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are suitable for use in one or more of the following therapeutic processes:

-   -   for preventing, delaying, slowing the progression of or treating         metabolic diseases, such as for example type 1 diabetes, type 2         diabetes, insufficient glucose tolerance, insulin resistance,         hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia,         dyslipidaemia, syndrome X, metabolic syndrome, obesity, high         blood pressure, chronic systemic inflammation, retinopathy,         neuropathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, endothelial         dysfunction or bone-related diseases (such as osteoporosis,         rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis);     -   for improving glycaemic control and/or reducing fasting plasma         glucose, postprandial plasma glucose and/or the glycosylated         haemoglobin HbA1c;     -   for preventing, delaying, slowing or reversing the progression         of disrupted glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and/or         metabolic syndrome to type 2 diabetes;     -   for preventing, delaying, slowing the progression of or treating         a condition or a disease selected from among the complications         of diabetes, such as for example retinopathy, nephropathy or         neuropathies, diabetic foot, ulcers or macroangiopathies;     -   for reducing weight or preventing weight gain or assisting         weight loss;     -   for preventing or treating the degradation of pancreatic beta         cells and/or improving and/or restoring the functionality of         pancreatic beta cells and/or restoring the functionality of         pancreatic insulin secretion;     -   for maintaining and/or improving insulin sensitivity and/or         preventing or treating hyperinsulinaemia and/or insulin         resistance.

In particular, the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are suitable for the treatment of obesity, diabetes (comprising type 1 and type 2 diabetes, preferably type 2 diabetes mellitus) and/or complications of diabetes (such as for example retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathies, diabetic foot, ulcers or macroangiopathies).

The compounds according to the invention are most particularly suitable for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The dose range of the compounds of general formula I applicable per day is usually from 0.001 to 10 mg, for example from 0.01 to 8 mg per kg body weight of the patient. Each dosage unit may conveniently contain from 0.1 to 1000 mg, for example 0.5 to 500 mg.

The actual therapeutically effective amount or therapeutic dosage will of course depend on factors known by those skilled in the art such as age and weight of the patient, route of administration and severity of disease. In any case the compound or composition will be administered at dosages and in a manner which allows a therapeutically effective amount to be delivered based upon patient's unique condition.

The compounds, compositions, including any combinations with one or more additional therapeutic agents, according to the invention may be administered by oral, transdermal, inhalative, parenteral or sublingual route. Of the possible methods of administration, oral or intravenous administration is preferred.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Suitable preparations for administering the compounds of formula I, optionally in combination with one or more further therapeutic agents, will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art and include for example tablets, pills, capsules, suppositories, lozenges, troches, solutions, syrups, elixirs, sachets, injectables, inhalatives and powders etc. Oral formulations, particularly solid forms such as e.g. tablets or capsules are preferred. The content of the pharmaceutically active compound(s) is advantageously in the range from 0.1 to 90 wt.-%, for example from 1 to 70 wt.-% of the composition as a whole.

Suitable tablets may be obtained, for example, by mixing one or more compounds according to formula I with known excipients, for example inert diluents, carriers, disintegrants, adjuvants, surfactants, binders and/or lubricants. The tablets may also consist of several layers. The particular excipients, carriers and/or diluents that are suitable for the desired preparations will be familiar to a person skilled in the art on the basis of his specialist knowledge. The preferred ones are those that are suitable for the particular formulation and method of administration that are desired. The preparations or formulations according to the invention may be prepared using methods known per se that are familiar to one skilled in the art, such as for example by mixing or combining at least one compound of formula I according to the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such a compound and one or more excipients, carriers and/or diluents.

Combination Therapy

The compounds of the invention may further be combined with one or more, preferably one additional therapeutic agent. According to one embodiment the additional therapeutic agent is selected from the group of therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of diseases or conditions described hereinbefore, in particular associated with metabolic diseases or conditions such as for example diabetes mellitus, obesity, diabetic complications, hypertension, hyperlipidemia. Additional therapeutic agents which are suitable for such combinations include in particular those which for example potentiate the therapeutic effect of one or more active substances with respect to one of the indications mentioned and/or which allow the dosage of one or more active substances to be reduced.

Therefore a compound of the invention may be combined with one or more additional therapeutic agents selected from the group consisting of antidiabetic agents, agents for the treatment of overweight and/or obesity and agents for the treatment of high blood pressure, heart failure and/or atherosclerosis.

Antidiabetic agents are for example metformin, sulphonylureas, nateglinide, repaglinide, thiazolidinediones, PPAR-(alpha, gamma or alpha/gamma) agonists or modulators, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, DPPIV inhibitors, SGLT2-inhibitors, insulin and insulin analogues, GLP-1 and GLP-1 analogues or amylin and amylin analogues, cycloset, 11β-HSD1 inhibitors. Other suitable combination partners are inhibitors of protein tyrosinephosphatase 1, substances that affect deregulated glucose production in the liver, such as e.g. inhibitors of glucose-6-phosphatase, or fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glycogen phosphorylase, glucagon receptor antagonists and inhibitors of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase, glycogen synthase kinase or pyruvate dehydrokinase, alpha2-antagonists, CCR-2 antagonists or glucokinase activators. One or more lipid lowering agents are also suitable as combination partners, such as for example HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors, fibrates, nicotinic acid and the derivatives thereof, PPAR-(alpha, gamma or alpha/gamma) agonists or modulators, PPAR-delta agonists, ACAT inhibitors or cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as, bile acid-binding substances such as, inhibitors of ileac bile acid transport, MTP inhibitors, or HDL-raising compounds such as CETP inhibitors or ABC1 regulators.

Therapeutic agents for the treatment of overweight and/or obesity are for example antagonists of the cannabinoid1 receptor, MCH-1 receptor antagonists, MC4 receptor agonists, NPY5 or NPY2 antagonists, β3-agonists, leptin or leptin mimetics, agonists of the 5HT2c receptor.

Therapeutic agents for the treatment of high blood pressure, chronic heart failure and/or atherosclerosis are for example A-II antagonists or ACE inhibitors, ECE inhibitors, diuretics, β-blockers, Ca-antagonists, centrally acting antihypertensives, antagonists of the alpha-2-adrenergic receptor, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase, thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors and others or combinations thereof are suitable. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists are preferably used for the treatment or prevention of high blood pressure and complications of diabetes, often combined with a diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide.

The dosage for the combination partners mentioned above is usually 1/5 of the lowest dose normally recommended up to 1/1 of the normally recommended dose. Preferably, compounds of the present invention and/or pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention optionally in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered in conjunction with exercise and/or a diet.

Therefore, in another aspect, this invention relates to the use of a compound according to the invention in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents described hereinbefore and hereinafter for the treatment of diseases or conditions which may be affected or which are mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119, in particular diseases or conditions as described hereinbefore and hereinafter.

In yet another aspect the present invention relates to a method for treating a disease or condition mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 in a patient that includes the step of administering to the patient, preferably a human, in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of one or more additional therapeutic agents described in hereinbefore and hereinafter,

The use of the compound according to the invention in combination with the additional therapeutic agent may take place simultaneously or at staggered times.

The compound according to the invention and the one or more additional therapeutic agents may both be present together in one formulation, for example a tablet or capsule, or separately in two identical or different formulations, for example as a so-called kit-of-parts.

Consequently, in another aspect, this invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound according to the invention and one or more additional therapeutic agents described hereinbefore and hereinafter, optionally together with one or more inert carriers and/or diluents.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed Examples which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

EXAMPLES Preliminary Remarks

As a rule, ¹H-NMR and/or mass spectra have been obtained for the compounds prepared. The R_(f) values are determined using Merck silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates and UV light at 254 nm. The terms “ambient temperature” and “room temperature” are used interchangeably and designate a temperature of about 20° C.

Parameters of analytical HPLC employed for characterization of products (TFA denotes trifluoroacetic acid):

Method: 1 Device: Waters ZQ2000 with DA and MS detector Column: X-terra MS C18, 4.6 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters % Solvent Gradient/Solvent % Solvent [CH₃CN, 0.1% Flow Temperature Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% HCOOH] HCOOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 95 5 1.5 r.t. 2.00 0 100 1.5 r.t. 2.50 0 100 1.5 r.t. 2.60 95 5 1.5 r.t. Method: 2 Device: Waters ZQ2000 with DA and MS detector Column: X-terra MS C18, 4.6 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters % Solvent Gradient/Solvent % Solvent [CH₃CN, 0.1% Flow Temperature Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% HCOOH] HCOOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 95 5 1.5 r.t. 2.00 0 100 1.5 r.t. 2.50 0 100 1.5 r.t. 2.60 95 5 1.5 r.t. Method: 3 Device: Waters 1525 with DA-and MS-Detector Column: XBridge C18, 4.6 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] [MeOH, 0.1% TFA] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 95 5 4.0 60 0.05 95 5 3.0 60 2.05 0 100 3.0 60 2.10 0 100 4.0 60 2.35 0 100 4.0 60 Method: 4 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA-and MS-Detector Column: XBridge C18, 3 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] [MeOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 95 5 2.2 60.0 0.05 95 5 2.2 60.0 1.40 0 100 2.2 60.0 1.80 0 100 2.9 60.0 Method: 5 Device: Waters Alliance with DA-and MS-Detector Column: XBridge C18, 4.6 × 30 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] [MeOH, 0.1% TFA] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 95 5 4.0 60 0.20 95 5 4.0 60 1.50 0 100 4.0 60 1.90 0 100 4.0 60 2.00 95 5 4.0 60 Method: 6 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA-and MS-Detector Column: Sunfire C18, 3.0 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] [MeOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 95 5 2.2 60 0.05 95 5 2.2 60 1.40 0 100 2.2 60 1.8 0 100 2.2 60 Method: 7 Device: Agilent 1100 with DA-and MS-Detector Column: XBridge C18, 4.6 × 30 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% HCOOH] [MeOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 95 5 4.0 60 0.15 95 5 4.0 60 1.70 0 100 4.0 60 2.25 0 100 4.0 60 Method: 8 Column: MAX-RP, 2 × 50 mm Column Supplier: Phenomenex Synergi Gradient/Solvent % Solvent % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] [H₂O, 0.025% TFA] [CH₃CN, 0.025% TFA] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 95 5 1.0 30 2.50 10 90 1.0 30 3.50 10 90 1.0 30 Method: 9 Device: Berger/Thar/Waters Multi-gram II prep SFC system with UV detection Column: Chiralcel AD-H, 21 × 250 mm, 5 μm Column Supplier: Chiral Technologies % Solvent [EtOH + 0.5% Gradient/Solvent % Solvent N,N-dimethyl- Flow Temperature Time [min] [CO₂] ethylamine] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 90 10 65 30 15 90 10 65 30 Method: 10 Column: NX C18, 3 × 100 mm, 5 μm Column Supplier: Phenomenex Gemini % Solvent Solvent Gradient/Solvent [H₂O, 0.04% [CH₃CN, 0.04% Flow Temperature Time [min] NH₄OH] NH₄OH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 95 5 2.0 30 5.20 5 95 2.0 30 Method: 11 Device: Waters ZQ2000 MS, Agilent HP100, binary Pump DAD 210-500 nm, Gilson 215 AS Column: Sunfire C18_4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] [MeOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 95 5 1.5 40 1.3 0 100 1.5 40 2.5 0 100 1.5 40 2.6 95 5 1.5 40 Method: 12 Device: Agilent 1100 with DA and Waters MS-Detector Column: Sunfire C18_4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] [MeOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 80 20 2.0 60 1.7 0 100 2.0 60 2.5 0 100 2.0 60 2.6 80 20 2.0 60 Method: 13 Device: Agilent 1100 with DA and Waters MS-Detector Column: Sunfire C18_4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol [CH₃CN, Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] 0.08% TFA] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 95 5 1.5 60 2.0 0 100 1.5 60 2.5 0 100 1.5 60 2.6 95 5 1.5 60 Method: 14 Device: Waters ZQ2000 MS, Alliance 2695 PDA2996 210-500 nm, 2700 AS Column: Sunfire C18_4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] [MeOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 80 20 2.0 60 1.7 0 100 2.0 60 2.5 0 100 2.0 60 2.6 80 2 2.0 60 Method: 15 Device: Waters ZQ2000 MS, Agilent HP100, binary Pump DAD 210-500 nm, Gilson 215 AS Column: XBridge C18_4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% NH₄OH] [MeOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 80 20 2.0 60 1.7 0 100 2.0 60 2.5 0 100 2.0 60 2.6 80 20 2.0 60 Method: 16 Device: Waters 1525 with DA-and MS-Detector Column: Sunfire C18_4.6 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol [MeOH, Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] 0.1% TFA] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 95 5 4.0 60 0.05 95 5 3.0 60 2.05 0 100 3.0 60 2.1 0 100 4.0 60 Method: 17 Device: Agilent 1100 with DA and Waters MS-Detector Column: Sunfire C18_4.6 × 30 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol [CH₃CN Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] 0.08% TFA] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 95 5 1.5 40 2.0 0 100 1.5 40 2.5 0 100 1.5 40 2.6 95 5 1.5 40 Method: 18 Device: Waters ZQ2000 MS, Agilent HP100, binary Pump DAD 210-500 nm, Waters 2700 AS Column: XBridge C18_4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters % Sol Gradient/Solvent [H₂O, 0.032% % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] NH₄OH] [MeOH] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 95 5 1.5 40 2.0 0 100 1.5 40 Method: 19 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA-and MS-Detector Column: Sunfire C18_3.0 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/Solvent % Sol % Sol Flow Temp Time [min] [H₂O, 0.1% TFA] [CH₃CN] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 97 3 2.2 60 0.2 97 3 2.2 60 1.2 0 100 2.2 60 1.25 0 100 3.0 60 1.4 0 100 3.0 60

Intermediate 1 4-Cyclopropylamino-2-methyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (1.15 g) is added to an ice-cold mixture of 2-methyl-4-oxo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (750 mg), cyclopropylamine (0.27 mL), and acetic acid (0.21 mL) in dichloromethane (20 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 h and diluted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is washed with aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is used for the next step without further purification. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.35 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=255 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 2 4-Cyclopropylamino-3-methyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 3-methyl-4-oxo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and cyclopropylamine following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 1. LC (method 2): t_(R)=1.00 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=255 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 3 N-Cyclopropyl-4-oxazol-5-yl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide

2-(1H-Benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (6.10 g) is added to a solution of 4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid (3.00 g) and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (5.56 mL) in N,N-dimethylformamide (50 mL) at room temperature. The solution is stirred for 10 min prior to the addition of 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.57 g). The resulting mixture is kept at room temperature over night. The mixture is treated with activated charcoal and filtered through a pad of basic aluminum oxide. The pad is washed with N,N-dimethylformamide/methanol (9:1) and the combined filtrates are concentrated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (35 mL), a 4 M solution of hydrogen chloride in 1,4-dioxane (20 mL) is added and the resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The solvent is evaporated and the residue is taken up in water. The resulting mixture is washed with dichloromethane, basified with NaOH solution and extracted with dichloromethane. The combined extracts are dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is triturated with diethyl ether and the precipitate is filtered off and dried to afford the title compound. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.99 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=312 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 4 4-(4-Iodo-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoic acid

Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (1 M in tetrahydrofuran; 3.44 mL) is added dropwise to a mixture of 4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid (296 mg) and 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (4.20 mL) in tetrahydrofuran (4.20 mL) at −78° C. The resulting mixture is stirred for 15 min and then allowed to warm-up to 0° C. After stirring for another 30 min, the mixture is again cooled to −78° C. and a solution of iodine (457 mg) in tetrahydrofuran (4 mL) is added dropwise. The mixture is stirred for 2.5 h and more iodine (140 mg) in tetrahydrofuran is added. After 1 h, the reaction mixture is quenched with water (10 mL) and warmed-up to room temperature. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and 1 M hydrochloric acid (4 mL) is added followed by water (30 mL) and methanol (100 mL). The mixture is treated with charcoal, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by preparative HPLC to give the title compound. LC (method 2): t_(R)=1.66 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=314 [M−H]⁻.

Intermediate 5 4-(2-Methyl-oxazol-4-yl)-benzoic acid

A mixture of 4-(2-bromo-acetyl)-benzoic acid (200 mg) and acetamide (146 mg) is heated to 140° C. in a microwave oven for 40 min. After cooling to room temperature, water is added and the precipitate is filtered off and dried to give the title compound. LC (method 3): t_(R)=1.55 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=202 [M−H]⁻.

Intermediate 6 3-Nitro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 4-formyl-3-nitro-benzoic acid methyl ester (1.05 g), p-toluenesulfonyl-methyl isocyanide (0.98 g), and potassium carbonate (0.90 g) in methanol (20 mL) is heated under reflux for 2 h. The mixture is poured onto water and extracted with dichloromethane. The combined extracts are washed with water, dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol 50:1) to afford the title compound. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.72 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=249 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 7 3-Nitro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared by treating 3-nitro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid methyl ester with 1 M aqueous NaOH solution in methanol at room temperature. Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=233 [M−H]⁻.

Intermediate 8 3-Methoxy-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared from 4-formyl-3-methoxy-benzoic acid and p-toluene-sulfonylmethyl isocyanide following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 6. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.42 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=220 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 9 4-(4-Methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 4-formyl-benzoic acid methyl ester (2.50 g), 1-(1-isocyano-ethane-sulfonyl)-4-methyl-benzene (3.19 g), and potassium carbonate (2.76 g) in methanol (50 mL) is heated to reflux for 2 h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture is poured onto water and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol 40:1) to afford the title compound. LC (method 1): t_(R)=2.68 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=218 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 10 4-(4-Methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoic acid

A mixture of 4-(4-methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester (1.50 g), 1 M aqueous NaOH solution (7.00 mL), and methanol (20 mL) is kept at room temperature overnight. The precipitate is filtered off, dissolved in water, and neutralized with 4 M hydrochloric acid. The precipitate is filtered off and dissolved in dichloromethane and a small amount of methanol. The solution is dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is triturated with diethylether and the precipitate is filtered off and dried to afford the title compound. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=204 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 11 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylicacid 4-nitro-phenyl ester

A solution of 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate (640 mg) in dichloromethane (5 mL) is added to dropwise to a mixture of N-cyclopropyl-4-oxazol-5-yl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide (1.00 g) and triethylamine (450 μL) in dichloromethane (7 mL) and tetrahydrofuran (7 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature overnight and concentrated in vacuo. Ethyl acetate and water are added and the aqueous phase is separated and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is triturated with diisopropyl ether and the precipitate is filtered off and dried to yield the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.19 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=477 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 12 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-iodo-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

2-(1H-Benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (3.10 g) is added to a solution of 4-iodo-benzoic acid (2.00 g) and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (2.80 mL) in N,N-dimethylformamide (200 mL) at room temperature. The solution is stirred for 10 min prior to the addition of 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.30 g). The resulting mixture is kept at room temperature over night. The mixture is treated with charcoal and filtered through a pad of basic aluminum oxide. The pad is washed with N,N-dimethylformamide/methanol (9:1) and the combined filtrates are concentrated in vacuo. Ethyl acetate and 1 M aqueous NaOH solution are added and the organic phase is separated, washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is triturated with diisopropyl ether and the precipitate is filtered off and dried to yield the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.34 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=471 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 13 4-[Cyclopropyl-(2,2,2-trifluoro-acetyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Trifluoroacetic anhydride (5.78 mL) is added dropwise to an ice-cold mixture of 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (10.00 g) and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (21.50 mL) in dichloromethane (200 mL). The reaction mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature overnight. Water is added and the organic phase is separated, washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is used without further purification. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.24 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=337 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 14 N-Cyclopropyl-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-piperidin-4-yl-acetamide

The title compound is prepared by treating 4-[cyclopropyl-(2,2,2-trifluoro-acetyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (13.10 g) with hydrochloric acid (4 M in 1,4-dioxane, 50 mL) in 1,4-dioxane (70 mL) at room temperature. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.62 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=237 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 15 4-[Cyclopropyl-(2,2,2-trifluoro-acetyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester

A mixture of N-cyclopropyl-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-piperidin-4-yl-acetamide (1.00 g), carbonic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester 4-nitro-phenyl ester (1.00 g), and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (0.68 mL) in dichloromethane (10 mL) is stirred at room temperature overnight. Water is added and the organic phase is separated, washed with aqueous K₂CO₃ solution (10%) and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:1) to afford the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.18 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=335 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 16 4-Cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester

The title compound is prepared by treating 4-[cyclopropyl-(2,2,2-trifluoro-acetyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester with potassium carbonate in a methanol/water mixture at room temperature. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.69 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=239 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 17 4-[(4-Bromo-3-methyl-benzoyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

A mixture of chloro-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylformamidinium hexafluorophosphate (770 mg), 4-bromo-3-methyl-benzoic acid (492 mg), and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (1.19 mL) in tetrahydrofuran (5 mL) is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. 4-Cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (550 mg) is added and the resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and water and ethyl acetate are added. The organic phase is separated, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 5:5→2:8) to afford the title compound. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=437/439 (Br) [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 18 4-(5-Methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-benzoic acid

A 2 M aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution (1.51 mL) is added to a mixture of 4-chloro-5-methyl-pyrimidine (186 mg) and 4-boronobenzoic acid (200 mg) in N,N-dimethylformamide (5 mL). The mixture is sparged with argon for 3 min and [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene]dichloropalladium dichloromethane complex (100 mg) is added. The resulting mixture is stirred at 80° C. overnight. After cooling to room temperature, water is added and the mixture is treated with charcoal. The solids are filtered off and rinsed with water. The filtrate is extracted with ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase is acidified with 4 M hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is triturated with diisopropyl ether and the precipitate is filtered off and dried to give the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.77 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=215 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 19 4-[(4-Bromo-3-fluoro-benzoyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-bromo-3-fluoro-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 17. LC (method 7): t_(R)=1.76 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=441/443 (Br) [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 20 4-(3-Cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared from 4-bromo-nicotinonitrile and 4-boronobenzoic acid following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 18. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.76 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=225 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 21 4-(5-Methylcarbamoyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared from 6-bromo-N-methyl-nicotinamide and 4-boronobenzoic acid following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 18. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.73 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=257 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 22 4-(3-Cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-N-cyclopropyl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide

The title compound is prepared by treating 4-{[4-(3-cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-benzoyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane at 40° C. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.74 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=347 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 23 5-(4-Bromo-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-oxazole

A 2 M aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution (1.51 mL) is added to a mixture of 5-bromo-1,3-difluoro-2-iodo-benzene (1.00 g) and 5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-triisopropylsilanyl-oxazole (1.87 g) in 1,4-dioxane (9 mL) and methanol (3 mL). The mixture is sparged with argon and [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene]dichloropalladium dichloromethane complex (380 mg) is added. The resulting mixture is stirred at 80° C. overnight. Since the conversion is not complete, the same amounts of 5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-triisopropylsilanyl-oxazole, 2 M aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution, and catalyst are added and the mixture is again stirred overnight at 80° C. The triisopropylsilyl protecting group is cleaved under these conditions. After cooling to room temperature, ethyl acetate and water are added. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic phases are washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 1:0→1:1) to afford the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.18 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=260/262 (Br) [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 24 3,5-Difluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 5-(4-bromo-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-oxazole (280 mg), triethylamine (225 μL), and 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (60 mg) in methanol (4 mL) and N,N-dimethylformamide (5 mL) is sparged with argon for 5 min and palladium(II) acetate is added. The mixture is stirred overnight at 70° C. under a carbon monoxide atmosphere. After cooling to room temperature, the catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in ethyl acetate and the solution is washed with 1 M hydrochloric acid, water and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is used without further purification. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.07 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=240 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 25 3,5-Difluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared by treating 3,5-difluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid methyl ester with 4 M aqueous NaOH solution in a 1:1-mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.90 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=224 [M−H]⁻.

Intermediate 26 4-(3-Cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-3-fluoro-benzoic acid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-bromo-nicotinonitrile and 2-fluoro-4-methoxycarbonylphenylboronic acid following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 18. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.98 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=257 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 27 4-(3-Cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-3-fluoro-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared by treating 4-(3-cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-3-fluoro-benzoic acid methyl ester with 4 M aqueous NaOH solution in a 1:1-mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.84 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=241 [M−H]⁻.

Intermediate 28 2-Fluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared from 4-bromo-2-fluoro-benzoic acid and 5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-triisopropylsilanyl-oxazole following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 18. The triisopropylsilyl protecting group is cleaved under these conditions. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.75 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=208 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 29 2,6-Difluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared from 4-bromo-2,6-difluoro-benzoic acid and 5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-triisopropylsilanyl-oxazole following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 18. The triisopropylsilyl protecting group is cleaved under these conditions. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.71 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=226 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 30 4-Cyclopropylamino-3-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 3-fluoro-4-oxo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and cyclopropylamine following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 1. The crude product is used without further purification.

Intermediate 31 5-(4-Ethoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-oxazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 2-methyl-oxazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1.95 g), 4-iodo-benzoic acid ethyl ester (1.20 mL), cesium carbonate (4.60 g), and tri-o-tolyl-phosphane (430 mg) in toluene (11 mL) is sparged with argon. Palladium(II) acetate (160 mg) is added and the resulting mixture is stirred at 110° C. overnight. The reaction mixture is diluted with ethyl acetate and filtered through a pad of celite, washing with ethyl acetate. The filtrate is concentrated in vacuo and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol/NH₄OH 98:2:0.1) to afford the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.15 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=290 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 32 5-(4-Carboxy-phenyl)-2-methyl-oxazole-4-carboxylic acid

The title compound is prepared by treating 5-(4-ethoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-oxazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester with 4 M aqueous NaOH solution in a mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.80 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=246 [M−H]⁻.

Intermediate 33 4-(2-Methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared by heating neat 5-(4-carboxy-phenyl)-2-methyl-oxazole-4-carboxylic acid to 250° C. for 20 h. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.89 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=202 [M−H]⁻.

Intermediate 34 4-Cyclopropylamino-3-methoxy-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 3-methoxy-4-oxo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and cyclopropylamine following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.79 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=271 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 35 3-Fluoro-4-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-benzoic acid

To a solution of ethyl 3,4-difluorobenzoate (1.5 g) in N,N-dimethylformamide (15 mL) 1,2,4-triazole (1.1 g) and K₂CO₃ (2.3 g) are added and the mixture is heated at 150° C. in a microwave for 30 min. After cooling, water and ethyl acetate are added and the organic layer is dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue is purified by chromatography on silica gel eluting with 0% to 100% ethyl acetate/hexane. The pure ester is dissolved in methanol (30 mL) and 4 M aqueous NaOH solution (3 mL) is added and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The mixture is neutralized with 6 M hydrochloric acid, concentrated, and then acidified with 6 M hydrochloric acid, and the precipitate is filtered off washing with a small amount of water and dried by suction to give the acid as a white solid.

Intermediate 36 4-(2-Methyl-imidazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid

To a solution of ethyl 4-fluorobenzoate (1.68 g) in N-methyl-pyrrolidinone (10 mL) is added 2-methyl-imidazole (2.85 g) and K₂CO₃ (1.5 g) and the mixture is heated at 190° C. in a microwave for 30 min. After cooling, water and ethyl acetate are added and the organic layer is washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. Purification by chromatography on silica gel eluting with methanol/dichloromethane (0% to 10%) gives the ester (1.0 g). The pure ester is dissolved in methanol (50 mL) and 4 M aqueous NaOH solution (3 mL) is added. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The mixture is neutralized to pH 7 with 6 M hydrochloric acid, concentrated, and then acidified to pH 2 with 6 M hydrochloric acid. The precipitate is filtered off washing with a small amount of water and dried by suction to give the acid.

Intermediates 37 and 38 Benzyl (3S,4R)-4-(cyclopropylamino)-3-fluoropiperidine-1-carboxylate arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 1 (first eluting) and Benzyl (3R,4S)-4-(cyclopropylamino)-3-fluoropiperidine-1-carboxylate arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 2 (Second Eluting)

To a solution of benzyl 3-fluoro-4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate (10.0 g) and cyclopropylamine (2.5 g) in dichloromethane (100 mL) are added sodium triacetoxyborohydride (10.1 g) and glacial acetic acid (5.0 g). The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 20 h. Then 60 mL of 2 N NaOH is added to reach pH 10. The mixture is extracted with dichloromethane (2×50 mL). The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo and purified by silica gel chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol 90:10) to afford the desired product as a mixture of mainly cis isomers [LC (method 8): t_(R)=1.98 min; mass spectrum (APCI): m/z=293 [M+H]⁺]. Chiral SFC separation (chiral SFC method 9) gives the separated title compounds (cis isomers of unknown absolute stereochemistry) arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 1 (first eluting; 7.25 min) and Isomer 2 (second eluting; 9.41 min).

Intermediate 39 tert-Butyl N-cyclopropyl-N-[(3S,4R)-3-fluoropiperidin-4-yl]carbamate

Benzyl (3S,4R)-4-(cyclopropylamino)-3-fluoropiperidine-1-carboxylate (Intermediate 37, absolute stereochemistry arbitrarily assigned; 3.0 g) is dissolved in 1:1 tetrahydrofuran/water (100 mL) and NaOH (800 mg) is added followed by di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (2.6 g). The solution is stirred vigorously at room temperature overnight. The reaction is heated to reflux and additional portions of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate are added over two days (3×2.6 g). The reaction is extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic extracts are washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated.

Chromatography on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane gives the tert-butoxycarbonyl protected intermediate and elution with methanol/dichloromethane recovers amine. The intermediate is redissolved in ethyl acetate (30 mL) and 10% Pd/C (200 mg) is added and the reaction mixture stirred under hydrogen atmosphere for 2 h at room temperature. Filtration through celite and concentration gives the title compound. LC (method 8): t_(R)=1.95 min; Mass spectrum (APCI): m/z=259 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 40 tert-Butyl N-cyclopropyl-N-[(3R,4S)-3-fluoropiperidin-4-yl]carbamate

The title compound is prepared from benzyl (3R,4S)-4-(cyclopropylamino)-3-fluoropiperidine-1-carboxylate (Intermediate 38, absolute stereochemistry arbitrarily assigned) following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 39. LC (method 8): t_(R)=2.02 min; Mass spectrum (APCI): m/z=259 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 41 (3S,4R)-4-Cyclopropylamino-3-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester

tert-Butyl N-cyclopropyl-N-[(3S,4R)-3-fluoropiperidin-4-yl]carbamate (Intermediate 39, absolute stereochemistry arbitrarily assigned) (60 mg) and triethylamine (47 mg) are combined in dichloromethane (2 mL). Isopropyl chloroformate (0.38 mL, 1 M in toluene) is added and the solution is stirred at room temperature overnight. Water is added and the organic phase is separated, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. The crude material is dissolved in 20% trifluoroacetic acid/dichloromethane and the solution is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. After concentration, dichloromethane (5 mL) and aqueous NaOH solution (2 M, 1 mL) are added. The organic layer is separated, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give the title compound. LC (method 8): t_(R)=1.19 min; Mass spectrum (APCI): m/z=245 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 42 (3R,4S)-4-Cyclopropylamino-3-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester

The title compound is prepared from tert-butyl N-cyclopropyl-N-[(3R,4S)-3-fluoropiperidin-4-yl]carbamate (Intermediate 40, absolute stereochemistry arbitrarily assigned) following a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42. LC (method 8): t_(R)=1.20 min; Mass spectrum (APCI): m/z=245 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 43 4-[(2-Chloro-pyrimidine-5-carbonyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Chloro-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylformamidinium hexafluorophosphate (4.12 g) is added to a solution of 2-chloropyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (2.00 g) and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (6.39 mL) in tetrahydrofuran (15 mL) at room temperature. The solution is stirred for 45 min prior to the addition of 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.94 g). The resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo and water and dichloromethane are added. The organic phase is separated and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by preparative HPLC (C18 RP Sunfire, MeOH/water (+0.1% TFA)) to yield the title compound. LC (method 14): t_(R)=2.09 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=381/383 (Cl) [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 44 Imidazole-1-carboxylic acid 2,2,2-trifluoro-1,1-dimethyl-ethyl ester

To 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (0.74 g) in dichloromethane (20 mL) is added 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methyl-propan-2-ol and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 h. Water is added and the organic phase is separated and concentrated in vacuo to yield the title compound. LC (method 16): t_(R)=1.52 min.

Intermediate 45 3-Chloro-4-(4-phenyl-imidazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid

To 4-phenylimidazole (2.0 g) in dimethyl sulfoxide (22 mL) is added KO^(t)Bu (1.56 g) and the mixture is stirred for 1 h at room temperature. 3-Chloro-4-fluorobenzonitrile (2.16 g) is added and the mixture is stirred for 12 h at 70° C. Water is added and the precipitate is collected, washed with water, and dried to yield the cyano intermediate. The intermediate (1.0 g) is subsequently added to 20% aqueous KOH solution (13 mL) and the mixture is stirred at 120° C. for 12 h. Water is added and the pH value is adjusted to 5 using acetic acid. The precipitate is collected, washed with water, and dried in vacuo to yield the title compound. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=299/301 (Cl) [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 46 4-[5-(3-Methyl-ureido)-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-benzoic acid

Conc. H₂SO₄ (25 mL) is added dropwise to ice-cold ethanol (250 mL). 4-(5-Amino-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzoic acid (25 g) is added and the mixture is stirred under refluxed for 12 h. After cooling to room temperature, the precipitate is collected to yield 4-(5-amino-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)benzoic acid ethyl ester (3.7 g) which is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (200 mL). N,N-Diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (2.6 mL) is added followed by the dropwise addition of phenyl chloroformate (2.6 g) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL). The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 h and then concentrated in vacuo. The obtained crude 4-(5-phenoxycarbonylamino-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzoic acid ethyl ester is dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (4.0 mL). Methyl-amine (2 M in tetrahydrofuran, 12 mL) is added and the mixture is heated under microwave irradiation for 20 min at 120° C. The solvent is removed in vacuo and 0.1 N aqueous NaOH solution is added. The precipitate is collected, washed with water, and dried to yield the title compound. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=279 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 47 4-(5-Methyl-4-phenyl-imidazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared analogously to Intermediate 45, using 5-methyl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole and 4-fluorobenzonitrile as starting materials and using 20% aqueous NaOH solution for saponification. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=279 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 48 4-(2-Methyl-4-phenyl-imidazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared analogously to Intermediate 45, using 2-methyl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole and 4-fluorobenzonitrile as starting materials and using 20% aqueous NaOH solution (20%) for saponification. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=279 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 49 4-(4-Phenyl-imidazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared analogously to Intermediate 45, using 4-phenylimidazole and 4-fluorobenzonitrile as starting materials and using 20% aqueous NaOH solution for saponification. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=265 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 50 4-[5-(3,3-Dimethyl-ureido)-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-benzoic acid

The title compound is prepared analogously to Intermediate 46, using dimethylamine (2 M in tetrahydrofuran) for urea formation. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=293 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 51 1-(4-Carboxy-phenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester

2-Acetyl-3-oxo-butyric acid ethyl ester (2.4 mL) is added to ethyl 4-hydrazino-benzoate hydrochloride (3.4 g) in ethanol (130 mL) and triethylamine (3.4 mL) and the mixture is refluxed for 5.5 h. After concentration in vacuo, the residue is purified by HPLC to yield the intermediate, 1-(4-ethoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester. The intermediate (3.35 g) is added to 1 M aqueous NaOH solution (10.6 mL) in ethanol (250 mL) and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 3 d. 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid (10.6 mL) is added and the mixture is concentrated in vacuo. Water is added and the precipitate is collected and dried to yield the title compound. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=289 [M+H]⁺.

Example 1 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-2-methyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

2-(7-Aza-1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (450 mg) is added to a solution of 4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid (200 mg) and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (0.40 mL) in N,N-dimethylformamide (5 mL) at room temperature. The solution is stirred for 15 min prior to the addition of 4-cyclopropyl-amino-2-methyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (500 mg). The resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is washed with 1 M hydrochloric acid and water. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol 96:4) to afford the title compound. LC (method 2): t_(R)=1.83 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=426 [M+H]⁺.

Example 2 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-methyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

A mixture of chloro-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylformamidinium hexafluorophosphate (640 mg), 4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid (370 mg), and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (0.99 mL) in tetrahydrofuran (15 mL) is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. 4-Cyclopropylamino-3-methyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (480 mg) is added and the resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol 94:6) to afford the title compound. LC (method 2): t_(R)=1.83 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=426 [M+H]⁺.

Example 3 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropenyl ester

Isopropenyl chloroformate (35 μL) is added to an ice-cold mixture of N-cyclopropyl-4-oxazol-5-yl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide (100 mg) and triethylamine (46 μL) in dichloromethane (5 mL) and the resulting mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture is washed with water and the organic phase is separated, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol 93:7) to afford the title compound. LC (method 2): t_(R)=1.61 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=413 [M+NH₄]⁺.

Example 4 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(4-iodo-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

A mixture of 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (47 mg), 4-(4-iodo-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoic acid (42 mg), 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (32 mg), and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (46 μL) in N,N-dimethylformamide (2 mL) is stirred at 60° C. for 5 h. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo and the residue is purified by HPLC to give the title compound. LC (method 3): t_(R)=2.02 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=538 [M+H]⁺.

Example 5 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(2-methyl-oxazol-4-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(2-methyl-oxazol-4-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 2): t_(R)=1.78 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=426 [M+H]⁺.

Example 6 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-thiazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(5-thiazolyl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropyl-amino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.80 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=428 [M+H]⁺.

Example 7 4-[Cyclopropyl-(3-nitro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Isobutyl chloroformate (56 μL) is added to a mixture of 3-nitro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid (100 mg) and N-methylmorpholine (47 μL) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) at room temperature and the resulting mixture is stirred for 1 h. 4-Cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (103 mg) is added and the mixture is stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and dichloromethane is added. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by HPLC to give the title compound. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.77 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=457 [M+H]⁺.

Example 8 4-[(3-Amino-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-[cyclopropyl-(3-nitro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester by reduction with Raney nickel and hydrogen (3 bar) in methanol. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.51 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=427 [M+H]⁺.

Example 9 4-[Cyclopropyl-(3-methoxy-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 3-methoxy-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 7. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.96 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=442 [M+H]⁺.

Example 10 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(4-methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(4-methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 7. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.78 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=426 [M+H]⁺.

Example 11 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl ester

Sodium hydride (55% in mineral oil; 52 mg) is added to an ice-cold solution of tetrahydro-4-pyranol (160 mg) in tetrahydrofuran (3 mL) under argon atmosphere. The mixture is stirred for 10 min prior to the addition of 4-[cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 4-nitro-phenyl ester (150 mg). The resulting mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature overnight. Ethyl acetate and 10% aqueous K₂CO₃ solution are added. The organic phase is separated, washed with 10% aqueous K₂CO₃ solution, water and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate) to afford the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.07 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=440 [M+H]⁺.

Example 12 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

2 M aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution (480 μL) is added to a mixture of 4-[cyclopropyl-(4-iodo-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (150 mg) and 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (120 mg) in N,N-dimethylformamide (3 mL). The mixture is sparged with argon for 3 min and [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene]dichloropalladium dichloromethane complex (26 mg) is added. The resulting mixture is stirred for 3 h at 90° C. More 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (120 mg) and [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene]dichloropalladium dichloromethane complex (26 mg) are added and the mixture is stirred overnight at 90° C. After cooling to room temperature, methanol is added and the mixture is filtered and purified by HPLC (MeOH/H₂O+0.13% NH₄OH) to afford the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.17 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=411 [M+H]⁺.

Example 13 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-[cyclopropyl-(4-iodo-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and 1-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 12. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.21 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=425 [M+H]⁺.

Example 14 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl ester

The title compound is prepared from (tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-methanol and 4-[cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 4-nitro-phenyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 11. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.12 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=454 [M+H]⁺.

Example 15 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 2-methyl-propane-1,2-diol and 4-[cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 4-nitro-phenyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 11. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.12 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=428 [M+H]⁺.

Example 16 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(6-methyl-pyridazin-3-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(6-methyl-pyridazin-3-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 5): t_(R)=1.15 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=437 [M+H]⁺.

Example 17 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(1-methyl-1H-[1,2,4]triazol-3-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(1-methyl-1H-[1,2,4]triazol-3-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 6): t_(R)=1.36 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=426 [M+H]⁺.

Example 18 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(2-methyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazol-3-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(2-methyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazol-3-yl)benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 6): t_(R)=1.33 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=426 [M+H]⁺.

Example 19 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(5-methanesulfonyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(5-methanesulfonyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.14 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=498 [M+H]⁺.

Example 20 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.17 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=410 [M+H]⁺.

Example 21 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(5-methanesulfonyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(5-methanesulfonyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.18 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=500 [M+H]⁺.

Example 22 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-tetrazol-1-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-tetrazol-1-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 7): t_(R)=1.54 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=413 [M+H]⁺.

Example 23 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-pyridazin-4-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-pyridazin-4-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.13 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=423 [M+H]⁺.

Example 24 4-[Cyclopropyl-(3-methyl-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-[(4-bromo-3-methyl-benzoyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and 5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-triisopropylsilyl-oxazole following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 12 followed by subsequent removal of the triisopropylsilyl protecting group with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.25 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=426 [M+H]⁺.

Example 25 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.23 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=413 [M+H]⁺.

Example 26 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(5-methyl-tetrazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(5-methyl-tetrazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.12 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=427 [M+H]⁺.

Example 27 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(5-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(5-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.21 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=437 [M+H]⁺.

Example 28 4-[Cyclopropyl-(3-fluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-[(4-bromo-3-fluoro-benzoyl)-cyclopropylamino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and 5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2-triisopropylsilayl-oxazole following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 12 followed by subsequent removal of the triisopropylsilyl protecting group with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.25 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=430 [M+H]⁺.

Example 29 4-{[4-(3-Cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-benzoyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(3-cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.21 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=447 [M+H]⁺.

Example 30 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(5-methylcarbamoyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(5-methylcarbamoyl-pyridin-2-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.18 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=479 [M+H]⁺.

Example 31 4-{[4-(3-Cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-benzoyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester

Isopropyl chloroformate (1 M in toluene; 127 μL) is added to an ice-cold solution of 4-(3-cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-N-cyclopropyl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide (40 mg) and triethylamine (34 μL) in dichloromethane (2 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature and then diluted with water and dichloromethane. The organic phase is separated, washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is triturated with diisopropyl ether and the precipitate is filtered off and dried to give the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.16 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=433 [M+H]⁺.

Example 32 4-{[4-(3-Cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-benzoyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester

A mixture of 4-(3-cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-N-cyclopropyl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide (40 mg), carbonic acid 1-methyl-cyclopropyl ester 4-nitro-phenyl ester (30 mg), and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (23 μL) in tetrahydrofuran (2 mL) is stirred at room temperature overnight. Ethyl acetate and 1 N aqueous NaOH solution are added. The organic phase is separated, washed with 1 N aqueous NaOH solution, water and brine, dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate) to give the title compound which is triturated with diisopropyl ether and dried. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.17 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=445 [M+H]⁺.

Example 33 4-[Cyclopropyl-(3,5-difluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 3,5-difluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.25 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=448 [M+H]⁺.

Example 34 4-{[4-(3-Cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-3-fluoro-benzoyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(3-cyano-pyridin-4-yl)-3-fluoro-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.23 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=482 [M+NH₄]⁺.

Example 35 4-[Cyclopropyl-(2-fluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 2-fluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 7): t_(R)=1.65 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=430 [M+H]⁺.

Example 36 4-[Cyclopropyl-(2,6-difluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 2,6-difluoro-4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 2. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.24 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=448 [M+H]⁺.

Example 37 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-methanesulfonylmethyl-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

2 M aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution (440 μL) is added to a mixture of 4-[cyclopropyl-(4-iodo-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (188 mg) and 4-(methylsulfonylmethyl)phenylboronic acid (128 mg) in 1,4-dioxane (3 mL). The mixture is sparged with argon and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (23 mg) is added. The resulting mixture is stirred overnight at 80° C. under an argon atmosphere. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture is filtered through a pad of basic aluminum oxide and purified by HPLC to afford the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.21 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=557 [M+HCOO]⁻.

Examples 38-41 (3S,4S)-4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 1, (3R,4R)-4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 2, (3R,4S)-4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 3, and (3S,4R)-4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 4

The title compounds are prepared from 4-cyclopropylamino-3-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and 4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.22 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=430 [M+H]⁺.

The diastereomeric product mixture consisting mainly of the cis isomers is submitted to SFC on chiral phase to give the four title compounds in separate fractions. The configuration of the stereocenters is arbitrarily assigned.

Retention times on SFC on chiral phase (column Daicel OJ-H, 250×4.6 mm; mobile phase: methanol containing 0.2% diethylamine/sc carbon dioxide 25:75; flow rate 4 ml/min): Isomer 1: t_(R)=1.34 min; Isomer 2: t_(R)=1.51 min; Isomer 3: t_(R)=1.66 min; Isomer 4: t_(R)=1.93 min.

Example 42 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-4-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compounds are prepared from 4-(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-4-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.02 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=425 [M+H]⁺.

Example 43 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(2-methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-(2-methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.25 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=426 [M+H]⁺.

Example 44 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-4-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-oxazol-4-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.21 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=412 [M+H]⁺.

Example 45 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-methoxy-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

The title compound is prepared from 4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoic acid and 4-cyclopropylamino-3-methoxy-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described for Example 4. LC (method 7): t_(R)=1.65 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=442 [M+H]⁺.

Examples 46 and 47 (3R,4S)-4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-methyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 1 and (3S,4R)-4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-methyl-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester arbitrarily assigned as Isomer 2

The title compounds are obtained in separate fractions upon SFC on chiral phase of the diastereomeric mixture (Example 2, consisting mainly of the cis isomers). The relative configuration of the stereocenters was determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy while the absolute configuration is arbitrarily assigned. Retention times on SFC on chiral phase (column: Daicel OJ-H, 250×4.6 mm; mobile phase: methanol containing 0.2% diethylamine/sc carbon dioxide 10:90; flow rate 4 ml/min): Isomer 1: t_(R)=3.38 min; Isomer 2: t_(R)=4.01 min.

Examples 48-51 General Procedure for the Synthesis of the Amides in Table 1 from their Respective Amines and Carboxylic Acids.

Amine (˜5 mg) and carboxylic acid (˜6-10 mg) are combined with triethylamine (0.015 mL) and N-hydroxybenzotriazole (3 mg) in N,N-dimethylformamide (0.2 mL). 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (20 mg) in N,N-dimethylformamide (0.2 mL) is added and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The product amides are purified by HPLC.

TABLE 1 HPLC t_(R) MS (APCI) (method 10) m/z Ex. Structure [min] [M + H]⁺ 48

3.67 434 (3R,4S)-4-[Cyclopropyl-(3-fluoro-4- [1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-fluoro- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester (absolute stereochemistry arbitrarily assigned) 49

4.16 416 4-[Cyclopropyl-(3-fluoro-4-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl- benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester 50

3.11 434 (3S,4R)-4-[Cyclopropyl-(3-fluoro-4- [1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-3-fluoro- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester (absolute stereochemistry arbitrarily assigned) 51

4.31 411 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(2-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)- benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester

Examples 52-85 General Procedure for the Synthesis of Amides in Table 2 from 4-Cyclopropylamino-Piperidine-1-Carboxylic Acid Tert-Butyl Ester and the Respective Carboxylic Acids.

Carboxylic acid (0.1 mmol) is combined with N,N-dimethylformamide (2.0 mL), N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (0.3 mmol), and 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU; 0.1 mmol, for examples 52-80) or chloro-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylformamidinium hexafluorophosphate (0.12 mmol, for examples 81-85), respectively. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 15-45 min. 4-Cyclopropylamino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.1 mmol, 24 mg) is added and stirring is continued for 12 h. In case the conversion is incomplete the mixture is stirred at 60° C. for another 5 h. The mixture is filtered through basic aluminum oxide washing with N,N-dimethylformamide/methanol (9:1). After concentration in vacuo, the residue is purified by HPLC (RP-C18 Sunfire, methanol/water (+0.1% trifluoroacetic acid)) to yield the desired product.

TABLE 2 MS HPLC t_(R) (APCI) [min] m/z Ex. Structure (method) [M + H]⁺ 52

1.39 (11) 411 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-imidazol-1-yl-benzoyl)- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 53

1.71 (11) 412 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 54

1.99 (12) 446 4-[(4′-Cyano-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-cyclopropyl- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 55

1.38 (12) 439 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(2,4-dimethyl-imidazol-1-yl)- benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 56

1.65 (12) 487 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(4-phenyl-imidazol-1-yl)- benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 57

1.87 (12) 412 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-isoxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 58

2.08 (12) 427 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-thiophen-2-yl-benzoyl)- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 59

1.94 (12) 428 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-thiazol-2-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 60

1.96 (12) 427 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(3-methyl-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5- yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 61

1.81 (12) 427 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(5-methyl-[1,3,4]oxadiazol-2- yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 62

1.76 (12) 413 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-[1,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl- benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 63

1.81 (12) 412 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-benzoyl)- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 64

2.01 (12) 410 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-pyrrol-1-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 65

2.04 (12) 411 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-furan-2-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 66

1.72 (12) 444 4-{[4-(5-Amino-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzoyl]- cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 67

1.93 (12) 427 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(5-methyl-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3- yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 68

2.09 (12) 503 4-{[4-(5-Benzyl-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-benzoyl]- cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 69

1.83 (12) 423 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-pyrimidin-5-yl-benzoyl)- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 70

1.42 (12) 422 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-pyridin-4-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 71

1.88 (12) 411 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-pyrazol-1-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 72

1.95 (12) 515 4-(Cyclopropyl-{4-[5-(3,3-dimethyl-ureido)- [1,2,4]thiadiazol-3-yl]-benzoyl}-amino)- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 73

1.92 (12) 501 4-(Cyclopropyl-{4-[5-(3-methyl-ureido)- [1,2,4]thiadiazol-3-yl]-benzoyl}-amino)- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 74

1.97 (12) 486 4-{[4-(5-Acetylamino-[1,2,4]thiadiazol-3-yl)- benzoyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 75

1.50 (12) 422 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-pyridin-3-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 76

1.89 (12) 515 4-(Cyclopropyl-{4-[5-(3,3-dimethyl-ureido)- [1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-benzoyl}-amino)- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 77

1.87 (12) 486 4-{[4-(5-Acetylamino-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)- benzoyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 78

1.99 (12) 497 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-methyl- pyrazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 79

2.04 (12) 511 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(4-ethoxycarbonyl-3,5- dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 80

1.05 (19) 427 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-thiophen-3-yl-benzoyl)- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 81

1.68 (13) 521 4-{[3-Chloro-4-(4-phenyl-imidazol-1-yl)- benzoyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 82

1.79 (13) 501 4-(Cyclopropyl-{4-[5-(3-methyl-ureido)- [1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-benzoyl}-amino)- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 83

1.55 (13) 501 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(5-methyl-4-phenyl-imidazol- 1-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 84

1.53 (13) 501 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(2-methyl-4-phenyl-imidazol- 1-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 85

2.16 (14) 489 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(4-pyrimidin-4-yl-pyrazol-1- yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Examples 86-114 General Procedure for the Suzuki-Coupling Type Synthesis of Arylpyrimidines in Table 3 from 4-[(2-chloro-pyrimidine-5-carbonyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and the Respective Boronic Acid or Boronic Pinacol Ester.

4-[(2-Chloro-pyrimidine-5-carbonyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.1 mmol, 38 mg), aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution (2 mol/L, 0.1 mL), and bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride (0.003 mmol) are added to the boronic acid or boronic acid pinacol ester (0.16 mmol) in 2:1 dioxane/methanol (2 mL) under argon atmosphere. The mixture is stirred for 6 h at 90° C. The mixture is filtered through basic aluminum oxide and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide/methanol (9:1). After concentration in vacuo, the residue is purified by HPLC (RP-C18 XBridge, methanol/water (+0.1% ammonia)) to yield the desired product.

TABLE 3 MS HPLC t_(R) (APCI) [min] m/z Ex. Structure (method) [M + H]⁺ 86

2.1 (15)  451 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-methoxy-biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 87

2.17 (15) 465 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-ethoxy-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 88

2.15 (15) 505 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-trifluoromethoxy-biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 89

1.95 (15) 452 4-{[4-(5-Cyano-thiophen-2-yl)-benzoyl]- cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 90

1.95 (15) 411 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-furan-3-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 91

1.94 (15) 460 4-[(4′-Cyanomethyl-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)- cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 92

1.58 (15) 514 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-methanesulfonylamino- biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 93

1.79 (15) 499 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 94

1.92 (15) 446 4-[(2′-Cyano-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-cyclopropyl- amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 95

1.88 (15) 440 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(3,5-dimethyl-isoxazol-4-yl)- benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 96

2.03 (15) 452 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)- benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 97

2.00 (15) 556 4-[(2′-tert-Butylsulfamoyl-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)- cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 98

1.87 (15) 451 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 99

1.85 (15) 453 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-5-yl)- benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 100

1.82 (15) 447 4-{[4-(6-Cyano-pyridin-3-yl)-benzoyl]- cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 101

2.02 (15) 506 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-morpholin-4-yl-biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 102

1.77 (15) 464 4-[(4′-Carbamoyl-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)- cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 103

1.86 (15) 492 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-ethylcarbamoyl-biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 104

1.83 (15) 492 4-{[4′-(Acetylamino-methyl)-biphenyl-4- carbonyl]-cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 105

1.71 (15) 500 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-sulfamoyl-biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 106

1.95 (15) 464 4-[(4′-Cyano-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)- cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 107

1.84 (15) 480 5-{4-[(1-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)- cyclopropyl-carbamoyl]-phenyl}-pyridine-2- carboxylic acid methyl ester 108

1.70 (15) 438 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(6-hydroxy-pyridin-3-yl)- benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 109

2.05 (15) 466 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(6-ethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)- benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 110

1.84 (15) 517 4-[Cyclopropyl-(2′-fluoro-4′-methanesulfonyl- biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 111

1.81 (15) 514 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-methylsulfamoyl-biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 112

2.05 (15) 478 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4′-dimethylaminomethyl- biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-amino]-piperidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 113

1.82 (15) 447 4-{[4-(5-Cyano-pyridin-3-yl)-benzoyl]- cyclopropyl-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 114

1.99 (15) 465 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(6-dimethylamino-pyridin-3- yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Example 115 5-{4[(1-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-cyclopropyl-carbamoyl]-phenyl}-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid

4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-iodo-benzoyl)amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (47 mg) in dioxane/methanol (2:1, 2 mL), 2 M aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution (0.1 mL), and bis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II) chloride (1.1 mg) are added to 2-(methylcarboxy)pyridine-5-boronic acid (54 mg) dissolved in 2:1 dioxane/methanol (1 mL) under argon atmosphere. The mixture is stirred for 12 h at 100° C. The mixture is diluted with water and purified by HPLC (RP-C18 XBridge, methanol/water (+0.1% ammonia)) to yield the title compound. LC (method 18): t_(R)=1.95 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=464 [M−H]⁻.

Examples 116-128 General Procedure for the Synthesis of the Carbamates in Table 4 from N-cyclopropyl-4-oxazol-5-yl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide and the Respective alkyl- or aryl-chloroformate.

A solution of N-cyclopropyl-4-oxazol-5-yl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (0.24 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (1.5 mL) is added dropwise to the chloroformate (0.22 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (0.5 mL) at 0° C. The mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature and is stirred for 2 d. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo and the residue is and purified by HPLC (methanol/water (+0.1% trifluoroacetic acid)) to yield the desired product.

TABLE 4 HPLC t_(R) MS (APCI) [min] m/z Ex. Structure (method) [M + H]⁺ 116

1.86 (17) 370 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester 117

1.96 (17) 384 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 118

2.05 (17) 398 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester 119

2.13 (17) 450 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 4-fluoro-phenyl ester 120

2.10 (17) 462 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 4-methoxy-phenyl ester 121

2.23 (17) 426 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2,2-dimethyl-propyl ester 122

2.28 (17) 428 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid cyclohexyl ester 123

2.06 (17) 398 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester 124

2.11 (17) 432 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid phenyl ester 125

2.16 (17) 412 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester 126

2.16 (17) 446 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester 127

2.01 (17) 396 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid allyl ester 128

2.17 (17) 424 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]- piperidine-1-carboxylic acid cyclopentyl ester

Example 129 4-[(4′-Carbamoyl-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester

Trifluoroacetic acid (one drop) is added to 4-[(4′-carbamoyl-biphenyl-4-carbonyl)-cyclopropyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (Example 102; 0.21 g) in dichloromethane and the mixture is stirred for 1 h at room temperature. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo. Tetrahydrofuran (2.0 mL) and N,N-diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (32 μL) are added and the mixture is cooled to 0° C. Isopropyl chloroformate (1 mol/L in toluene, 0.11 mL) is added dropwise and the mixture is stirred for 3 h at room temperature. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo and purified by HPLC (RP-C18 Sunfire, MeOH/water (+0.1% TFA)) to yield the title compound. LC (method 16): t_(R)=1.95 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=450 [M+H]⁺.

Example 130 4-[Cyclopropyl-(4-oxazol-5-yl-benzoyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2,2,2-trifluoro-1,1-dimethyl-ethyl ester

A mixture of imidazole-1-carboxylic acid 2,2,2-trifluoro-1,1-dimethyl-ethyl ester (22 mg), N-cyclopropyl-4-oxazol-5-yl-N-piperidin-4-yl-benzamide (40 mg), and triethylamine (28 μL) in acetonitrile (2.0 mL) is stirred for 3 d at 50° C. More imidazole-1-carboxylic acid 2,2,2-trifluoro-1,1-dimethyl-ethyl ester (44 mg) is added and stirring is continued for 24 h at 50° C. The mixture is purified by HPLC (RP-C18 Sunfire, methanol/water (+0.1% trifluoroacetic acid)) to yield the title compound. LC (method 16): t_(R)=2.03 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=466 [M+H]⁺. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I

wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₂₋₆-alkenyl, C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl-CH₂—, phenyl-CH₂—, C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl, and phenyl, wherein each C₁₋₆-alkyl and C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl group is optionally mono- or polysubstituted with F and optionally substituted with one or two groups independently selected from H₃C—, FH₂C—, F₂HC—, F₃C—, and HO—; one CH₂ unit of the C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl groups is optionally replaced with one O atom; and each phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or two groups independently selected from F, Cl, H₃C—, F₃C—, NC—, H₃C—O—, and F₃C—O—; (Het)Ar is selected from the group consisting of: a) phenyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinonyl, and a 5- and 6-membered heteroaromatic ring which contains 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms independently selected from N, NR^(N), O, and S, wherein each phenyl, pyridinonyl, and heteroaromatic ring thereof is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from L^(Ar) and each phenyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinonyl, and heteroaromatic ring thereof is optionally substituted with a group T; and b) 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl which is substituted at the N atom with a —S(═O)₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl or —S(═O)₂—C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl group, wherein the alkyl and cycloalkyl groups thereof are optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from F, Cl, CN, OH, and C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—; R^(N) is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(═O)—, and C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—; T is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OH, NO₂, C₁₋₆-alkyl-, C₂₋₆-alkenyl-, C₂₋₆-alkynyl-, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkyl-O—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, C₁₋₆-alkyl-S—, HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₆-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(═O)—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-C(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O)—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—S(═O)₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O)—(R^(N))N—, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-O—, aryl, aryl-O—, heteroaryl, and heteroaryl-O—, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from F, Cl, CN, OH, C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—C(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, R^(NT1)R^(NT2)N—S(═O)₂—, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl; aryl is phenyl or naphthyl; heteroaryl is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring which contains 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms independently selected from N, NR^(N), O, and S; heterocyclyl is a 4- to 7-membered unsaturated or saturated carbocyclic ring in which 1, 2, or 3 —CH₂— groups independently are replaced by NR^(N), O, —C(═O)—, S, —S(═O)—, or —S(═O)₂—, and/or in which a —CH— group is replaced by N; and each aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from L^(Ar); R^(NT1) is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkyl-C(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-NH—C(═O)—, (C₁₋₄-alkyl)₂N—C(═O)—, C₁₋₆-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, wherein each alkyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of F, OH, CN, C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—, (R^(N))₂N, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, phenyl, and heteroaryl; heterocyclyl is a C₄₋₇-cycloalkyl ring in which one or two —CH₂-groups independently are replaced by NR^(N), O, C(═O), S, S(═O), or S(═O)₂; heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from F, C₁₋₄-alkyl, (R^(N))₂N, OH and C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—, and wherein aryl is phenyl or naphthyl; heteroaryl is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring which contains 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms independently selected from N, NR^(N), O, and S; and each aryl, phenyl, and heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents L^(Ar); R^(NT2) is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl; or R^(NT1) and R^(NT2) are linked to form one group selected from an C₃₋₅-alkylene group, wherein one or two —CH₂-groups are replaced independently by NR^(N), O, C(═O), S, S(═O), or S(═O)₂, and wherein the ring formed by R^(NT1) and R^(NT2) together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from F, C₁₋₄-alkyl, (R^(N))₂N—, OH, and C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—; L^(Ar) is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OH, NO₂, C₁₋₄-alkyl-, cyclopropyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—, (R^(N))₂N—C(═O)—, (R^(N))₂N—, and C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from F, Cl, CN, OH, and C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—; L^(P) is selected from the group consisting of F, C₁₋₃-alkyl, F₃C—, and C₁₋₃-alkyl-O; L^(Q) is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, CN, OH, NO₂, C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-, F₂HC—, F₃C—, C₁₋₄-alkyl—O—, F₂HC—O—, F₃C—O—, —NH₂, and C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl-O—; m is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; or a salt thereof wherein the compound does not include 4-{Cyclopropyl-[4-(4-methyl-oxazol-5-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is

each of which is optionally substituted with one to three F atoms.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein (Het)Ar is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, tetrazolyl, and a heteroaromatic ring selected from pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, and thiadiazolyl, wherein the phenyl and heteroaromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from L^(Ar); and the phenyl, tetrazolyl and heteroaromatic rings are optionally substituted with one group T and in the heteroaromatic ring the H-atom in one NH group is optionally replaced by C₁₋₃-alkyl.
 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein (Het)Ar is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein each group is optionally substituted with one group T, and optionally additionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from L^(Ar).
 5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein m is 1 and L^(Q) is H₃C— or F.
 6. The compound according to claim 1, wherein n is 1 and C is H₃C— or F.
 7. A compound according to claim 2, wherein: (Het)Ar is selected from the group consisting of: phenyl, tetrazolyl, and a heteroaromatic ring selected from pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, and thiadiazolyl, wherein the phenyl and heteroaromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from L^(Ar); and the phenyl, tetrazolyl, and heteroaromatic rings are optionally substituted with one group T and in the heteroaromatic ring the H-atom in one NH group is optionally replaced by C₁₋₃-alkyl; T is I, H₃C—, Ph-CH₂—, NC—CH₂—, (H₃C)₂N—CH₂—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—CH₂—, HO—CH₂—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—CH₂—, NC—, H₂N—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-NH—C(═O)—, HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, H₂N, (H₃C)₂N, morpholin-4-yl, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—NH—, (H₃C)₂N—C(═O)—NH—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—NH—, HO—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, H₂N—S(═O)₂—, H₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—, (H₃C)₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—, phenyl, or pyrimidin-4-yl; L^(Ar) is F or H₃C—; L^(Q) is F; L^(P) is H₃C— or F; m is 0, 1, or 2; and n is 0 or 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. The compound according to claim 1, wherein: R¹ is

(Het)Ar is selected from the group consisting of a)

 which is optionally substituted with one or two F atoms and optionally substituted with one group selected from NC—CH₂—, (H₃C)₂N—CH₂—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—CH₂—, HO—CH₂—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—CH₂—, NC—, H₂N—C(═O)—, H₃CH₂C—NH—C(═O)—, morpholin-4-yl, H₃C—S(═O)₂—NH—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, H₂N—S(═O)₂—, H₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—, and (H₃C)₃C—NH—S(═O)₂—; and b) a group selected from:

 wherein each group is optionally substituted with one or two H₃C— groups, and optionally substituted with one group selected from I, Ph-CH₂—, NC—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—, HO—C(═O)—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—C(═O)—, H₂N—, (H₃C)₂N—, H₃C—C(═O)—NH—, H₃C—NH—C(═O)—NH—, (H₃C)₂N—C(═O)—NH—, HO—, C₁₋₂-alkyl-O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, phenyl, and pyrimidin-4-yl; L^(Q) is F; L^(P) is H₃C— or F; m is 0 or 1; and n is 0 or 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. A pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound according to claim
 1. 10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an inert carrier or diluent.
 11. A method for treating diabetes, dislipidemia, or obesity, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof the compound according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 